The Larkins star Sabrina Bartlett ‘complained to bosses about co-star Tok Stephen using snap of her as his Whatsapp profile picture’ – before actress quit the show
Ex The Larkins star Sabrina Bartlett complained about co-star Tok Stephen using a snap of her as his WhatsApp profile picture – a new report has claimed.
The actor, 23, who plays Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton in the ITV remake of The Darling Buds Of May will appear in the second series despite on-set tensions that led to his co-star Sabrina, 30 quitting the show – with Joelle Ray, 21, replacing her.
The Sun claims that Tok used the image after Sabrina took a selfie on his phone, with the Mariette actress said to have complained to show bosses, saying it made her ‘uncomfortable.’
Claims: Ex The Larkins star Sabrina Bartlett complained about co-star Tok Stephen using a snap of her as his WhatsApp profile picture – a new report has claimed
A show insider told the publication: ‘He insisted he had only done it as a joke, but she made a complaint about his behaviour.
‘From that point on, there was a real tension between the two of them.’
A representative for ITV declined to comment to MailOnline.
Mailonline has also contacted representatives for Tok and Sabrina for comment.
Last week The Mail On Sunday revealed that the reason Sabrina decided not to return to The Larkins is because she made a complaint about Tok’s behaviour to ITV bosses.
Back: The actor, 23, who plays Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton in the ITV remake of The Darling Buds Of May will appear in the second series despite on-set tensions that led to his co-star Sabrina, 30 quitting the show
The Mail on Sunday has been told the broadcaster launched an investigation into the allegation but yesterday ITV refused to confirm or deny that one took place.
Tok’s return comes after Sabrina walked out of the programme.
One member of The Larkins team said: ‘Tok is back but we are sad and surprised that Sabrina is not.
‘We all assumed Tok wouldn’t be back when Sabrina quit. The last we heard was that there would be a new duo playing Mariette and Charley.
‘Sabrina loved the show. It is a great shame she has decided to leave.’
It understood that Tok has not yet been on set and it is unclear when he will be because the majority of his scenes would need to be filmed with Ms Bartlett’s replacement.
Report: The Sun claims that Tok used the image after Sabrina took a selfie on his phone, with the Mariette actress said to have complained to show bosses, saying it made her ‘uncomfortable’ (Sabrina pictured on the show)
ITV sources confirmed they had yet to find the right actress to play Mariette but hope to be able to announce their new star soon.
Catherine Zeta-Jones took the role in the original TV adaptation, a part that shot her to Hollywood stardom.
Last month scenes starring Peter Davison, who plays the show’s foul-mouthed vicar, were recorded in a sleepy Kent village.
In February, it was revealed that Sabrina would not be returning to The Larkins, with her publicist saying it was due to scheduling clashes. She is yet to announce her next work.
The actress, who starred in the first series of Netflix’s Bridgerton, also left her agents, the London-based Independent Talent Group, which represents Mr Stephen too. It declined to comment yesterday.
Tok, who graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2017, has also appeared in the ITV drama Grantchester and the BBC series Holby City and Silent Witness.
New role? Joelle Rae, 21, is set to replace Sabrina in the show
His character Charley in The Larkins was played by Philip Franks in the original TV adaptation of H.E. Bates’s novel. Bradley Walsh, 61, and Joanna Scanlan, 60, play Pop and Ma Larkin in the new series.
In an interview last year, Tok spoke fondly of his fellow cast members, saying: ‘Bradley Walsh is hilarious and Sabrina Bartlett is lovely to work with, and I’ve always really admired Joanna Scanlan. I think it’s any actor’s dream to shoot in a location where you don’t have to imagine your surroundings. We were able to live it.’
A spokesman for Sabrina did not respond to a request to comment at the time.
ITV said it ‘takes its duty-of-care responsibilities to all individuals on all productions extremely seriously’.
The cast of ITV’s remake of The Darlings Buds of May, including Montgomery Larkin [Liam Middleton], Petunia Larkin [Rosie Coleman], Victoria Larkin [Lola Shepelev], Zinnia Larkin [Davina Coleman], Mariette [Sabrina Bartlett], Primrose Larkin [Lydia Page], Charley [Tok Stephen], Pop Larkin [Bradley Walsh] and Ma Larkin [Joanna Scanlan]
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