Glee actor Iqbal Theba has come to the defence of under-fire former co-star Lea Michele, insisting that he was "never mistreated" by her during his time on the show.
Michele has been subject of multiple allegations of bad behaviour on set over the last week after actress Samantha Marie Ware accused her of making her first TV role "a living hell".
Ware's comments came in response to Michele posting a tweet in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, which is back at the forefront of the domestic agenda after the death of George Floyd late last month.
Theba, a Pakistani-American actor, appeared alongside Michele on all six seasons of Glee in the role of Principal Figgins and took to Twitter on Thursday to speak in her favour.
"Lot of people r assuming that @LeaMichele mistreated me. Let me state it clearly that I was never mistreated by her," he wrote, "And if some of the cast were treated badly then she has apologized for it which is wonderful.
"But being called a racist is too heavy & unfair a burden 4 most of us, specially in these troubled times. So, please be compassionate, careful & responsible before we accuse anyone of this horrible thing called racism.
"I love each & everyone of my fellow cast members from our great show @OfficialGLEEtv Be safe & be well. Much love."
Theba's comments come after another of Michele's co-stars, Aussie actor Dean Geyer, described her as "friendly" and "super fun" to work with.
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