The cast of Emmerdale have become the latest celebrities to speak out in support of an imprisoned former Paratrooper.

Wigton's John Armstrong is one of six Britons - known as the Chennai 6 - being held in prison in India for crimes they insist they did not commit.

Their plight has been raised at the highest level - most recently by Prime Minister Theresa May at the G20 summit.

Coronation Street bad boy Jim McDonald was among the first television stars to back the Britons, and actor Charlie Lawson - who plays the much-loved Corrie star - is actively encouraging others to join him.

This week stars of Emmerdale - including Lawrence White, played by John Bowe, and Zak Dingle, aka Steve Halliwell - released a photograph showing their support.

Bowe posted the image on Twitter, with a message calling for Mrs May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to "bring these innocent men home".

When thanked by John's sister Joanne Thomlinson, of Blennerhasset, Bowe replied: "It's irritating. The fix must surely be so simple. We just all hope it helps get your men home."

He later tweeted a message to Lawson, calling the situation "insane" and "ridiculous".

Watch Charlie Lawson's latest video in support of John and the Chennai 6:

Thirty-year-old John Armstrong has not seen his family home since October 2013, when he set off on a three-month stint as an armed security guard on board the American anti-piracy vessel, the Seaman Guard Ohio.

The ship got caught in a storm, and the crew say they sought refuge in an Indian port. Instead of aid however, the 35 crew members on board were arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing firearms in Indian waters.

After six months they were released on bail, and the charges were later quashed. However the men were forced to remain in the country until an appeal against that decision was lodged and heard.

In September 2015 the men stood trial. They were convicted and sentenced to five years in prison in January 2016, but have never stopped their battle to clear their names - even publishing evidence of British Government issued firearms permits.


John and Joanne Joanne, 32, told the News & Star : "John Bowe heard about the case via Charlie Lawson and asked us to send him a flag.

"The support is incredible and helps us enormously in spreading awareness of this injustice.

"We're just so thankful that they've all taken the time out of their day to support us and more importantly, to support John and the men in India."