Channel 4 News
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‘The Penguin Lessons' author accused of historic sexual abuse by former students
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October 9, 2025
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16:24Now PlayingA Channel 4 News investigation reveals shocking allegations against Mike Thompson, who authored the memoir The Penguin Lessons under the pen name ‘Tom Michell’, adapted into the 2024 feature film starring Steve Coogan.
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The investigation uncovers that Thompson, formerly a teacher at the Old Malthouse School in Dorset in the early 1970s, is accused by multiple former pupils of serious sexual abuse.
These individuals, now men in their 60s, have come forward for the first time detailing harrowing accounts of their experiences, alleging that Thompson exploited their vulnerability during their time at the school.
The revelations have raised serious questions for Penguin Random House, which published ‘The Penguin Lessons’.
A spokesperson told Channel 4 News that the publisher is “deeply shocked and surprised by these allegations”, adding “the book was published in 2015, and this is the first time we have been made aware of them.”
Mr Thompson has vehemently denied all the claims.
And a warning, this story contains distressing descriptions of sexual abuse throughout.
Get in touch if you have a story: c4nstories@itn.co.uk
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