The actor 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 Bartlett quitting the show.
And it can now be revealed that the reason Ms Bartlett decided not to return to The Larkins is because she made a complaint about Tok Stephen’s behaviour to ITV bosses.
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.
Mr Stephen’s return comes after Ms Bartlett – who played his on-screen love interest Mariette Larkin – walked out of the programme.
She is not being replaced by casting executives. One member of The Larkins team said: ‘Tok is back but we are sad and surprised that Sabrina is not.

Tok Stephen (left) will appear in the second series of The Darling Buds of May despite on-set tensions that led to his co-star Sabrina Bartlett (right) quitting the show

It understood that Mr Stephen, 23, 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
‘We all assumed Tok wouldn’t be back when Sabrina quit. We heard that a new pair would play Mariette and Charley.
‘Sabrina loved the show. It is a great shame she has decided to leave.’
It understood that Mr Stephen, 23, 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.
Sources at ITV confirmed that they have yet to find Mariette’s right actress, but are hopeful to soon be able announce their next star.
Catherine Zeta Jones was the first TV adaption’s lead actress. This role helped her rise to Hollywood superstardom.
Last week scenes starring Peter Davison, who plays the show’s foul-mouthed vicar, were recorded in a sleepy Kent village.
The Larkins announced in February that Ms. Bartlett was not returning, with her publicist stating it was due scheduling conflicts. Her next project is still to be announced.
![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]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/05/01/00/57251841-10771517-image-m-114_1651362142711.jpg)
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]Ma Larkin [Joanna Scanlan]
The 30-year-old 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. The company declined to comment yesterday.
Stephen is a 2017 graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Philip Franks played Charley, the character in The Larkins. He was also featured in H.E.’s original TV version. Bates’s novel. Bradley Walsh, 61 and Joanna Scanlan 60 play Pop, Ma Larkin, in this new series.
In an interview last year, Mr Stephen 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.’
An Ms Bartlett spokesperson did not respond when we asked for comment.
ITV said it ‘takes its duty-of-care responsibilities to all individuals on all productions extremely seriously’.