Artist Dean Tweedy's banned mural of Charlie Sheen

by Andy Gray

Council chiefs have been branded proper Charlies for censoring a Banksy-style portrait of a US film star.

Dean Tweedy's mural of actor Charlie Sheen painted on the side of a disused shop near Sittingbourne High Street has reportedly been deemed "too political" by authorities.

According to the artist, who uses the pseudonym 'Bogus', officers liked the image but told him its accompanying message "This town needs a new Sheen" had to be erased before today's county council elections.

A Swale council spokesman confirmed it had asked for the wording to be removed.

The artist (pictured right) duly obliged, but the graffiti-based gagging order did not go without mention in the enforced redraw.

As well as the "sensitive" slogan being blanked-out, a zip was painted over the former screen idol's mouth to indicate he had been unfairly silenced.

Dean, owner of Marvellous Murals in High Street, Milton Regis, earns commissions for his work nationwide.

He said: "I wanted to do something to lighten-up the place and get people talking about politics in the run-up to the election.

"It's ironic I'm being told I can't stir-up political debate – I thought that was the idea. It was done in humour and the words don't allude to any party.

"It brings into question our freedom of speech."

The redrawn Charlie Sheen mural includes a zip

Dean, who has seven children and one grandchild, said his painting of the Hollywood hellraiser, on the old DIY Focus store in West Street, took "10 minutes" to create.

The 45-year-old claimed it is part of a wider strategy to instigate a colourful regeneration of the High Street.

It has triggered a kaleidoscope of opinion on Facebook, where a picture of the mural was posted, with one detractor claiming "all graffiti is vandalism".

Dean, who is planning to make his mark on other empty sites around town, said although he has been forced into a creative climb-down, he has another message for critics and the council.

"They should lighten-up, get a sense of humour," he said.

"The mural's only painted on the shop's shutters, so as and when it reopens, it'll be gone."

A Swale council spokesman said: "While we appreciate the artist's efforts in trying to brighten the town centre we cannot condone this type of graffiti, which has been carried out without permission.

"We will try to speak to the owner of the building before a decision is made regarding the rest of the graffiti."