Bodhi Talent: Agency Accused Of Fake Tapes & Late Payments Files For Closure After Deadline Exposé

Jake Kanter

22 February 2024 at 4:13 am·2-min read

EXCLUSIVE: Bodhi Talent, the UK talent agency accused of sending clients fake auditions and paying actors late, has filed for closure.

The company, which boasted clients including soap stars Emma Rigby (Hollyoaks) and Nicola Stapleton (EastEnders), has applied to the UK’s Companies House to be dissolved.

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It follows a Deadline exposé on Bodhi earlier this month, in which former clients alleged that they were sent illegitimate invites to record self-tape auditions. Others said the firm broke UK agency regulations by withholding payments.

Bodhi founder Archie Purnell denied wrongdoing, but did not respond to any specific allegations and has not replied to any Deadline communication since February 7.

Bodhi may not be able to proceed with its planned closure if an objection is raised to the strike-off by people owed money by the agency. Creditors have two months to object and must provide documentary evidence to support their claim.

As revealed this week, as many as eight actors are in contact with Equity and are ready to take legal action to secure withheld payments running to thousands of pounds.

Thea Beyleveld, an actress who appeared in the final season of The Crown, told Deadline that she is owed nearly £9,500 ($12,000). Her full paycheck of around £5,000 for The Crown was paid to Bodhi more than a year ago, but she only received £3,000 of the fee.

Parents of children signed to Bodhi’s sister agency Luna Kids Casting said they were also pursuing the company after they claimed they were charged unlawful representation fees.

Purnell, also known as Jamie Fisher, was spotted as recently as last week leading a Luna Kids workshop. He told clients earlier this month that the allegations against him were lies.

Bodhi was launched in 2021 and Purnell, under his alias Fisher, is listed as the only director of the company.

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