Langham plays the minister in the fictional Department of Social Affairs

Langham has won a Bafta award for his role in the political comedy, playing Labour government minister Hugh Abbott.

But the BBC says his absence is due to the show's focus on Tory politicians.

"It was always our intention to shoot a Christmas special that was about the Opposition, and Chris was never going to be in that," said a BBC spokeswoman.

Unconditional bail

She added that any suggestion the 57-year-old had been axed from the show "isn't correct."

The spokeswoman said there will be no further comment while the actor's court case is ongoing.

Langham, from Cranbrook in Kent, was first charged in May with making indecent images of children.