Langham in court on sex charges

Mr Langham is a familiar figure in British television comedy

Comic actor Chris Langham has appeared in crown court for the first time to face sexual assault charges.

The 57-year-old, from Cranbrook in Kent, confirmed his name and acknowledged his bail conditions during the hearing at Maidstone Crown Court.

He has said he is "determined" to clear his name over charges of eight indecent assaults and a serious sexual offence.

Mr Langham was released on conditional bail to reappear at the same court on 22 November.

He will then also enter a plea to 15 separate charges of making indecent images of children.

Bafta award

Mr Langham's bail conditions include no unsupervised access with any person under the age of 16.

The award-winning comedy actor was charged with sexual assault last month and with making indecent images of children in May.

He recently won a Best Comedy Performance award at the Baftas for his portrayal of government minister Hugh Abbot in the hit BBC political satire The Thick Of It.

He has previously been honoured at the British Comedy Awards and the Sony Radio Awards and by the Writers' Guild of America for co-writing The Muppet Show from 1977 to 1980.

Mr Langham has also written for Not The Nine O'Clock News, Murder Most Horrid and Spike Milligan's Q series.

Earlier, he announced he would withdraw from all BBC projects "until these matters are resolved".