Chris Langham stars in BBC TV series The Thick of It

The 56-year-old star of The Thick of It was originally arrested by Kent Police last November and released on bail.

In a statement issued through his lawyer in December, he said he had not been charged and had made no admission to criminal acts.

Langham, 56, won best TV comedy actor at the 2005 British Comedy Awards.

Small screen

His statement added: "I ask that you respect the privacy of my family for whom this event has been extremely traumatic.

"I am advised that I can make no further comment on this investigation at this stage and will not be doing so."

Kent Police said in December: "A 56-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, 29 November, at an address in Cranbrook, west Kent, in connection with an ongoing investigation into internet-related crime.

"He was spoken to. He has been released on bail."

Mr Langham has often appeared on BBC television shows, including his spoof documentary series, People Like Us, which transferred to the small screen from BBC Radio 4.

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.