Robson Green has hit out at tax-dodging celebrities - saying that they should "hang their heads in shame".

The actor and presenter, 49, singled out particular criticism for comedian Jimmy Carr, who previously admitted making a ''terrible error of judgment'' after his arrangements - he was said to be using an aggressive but legal tax-avoidance scheme - came to light .

Earlier this year, multi-millionaire Take That star Gary Barlow was also accused of being involved in a tax avoidance scheme and later broke his silence to "apologise" on Twitter.

Robson, whose father was a miner, told the Radio Times that he was "very proud" to be a 50% tax-payer.

"Do you know what, anybody who tells me they're not going to pay tax... we've got an NHS system on its knees....," th e Soldier Solder and Wire In The Blood star said.

"I tell you what, my son was in real trouble when he was young and we took him to the hospital, there were four specialists waiting for him.

"That's why you pay your taxes. We've got a police system who protect us, we've got firemen who put out fires. We've got defence, man. That's what tax is for.

"Why don't you want to invest in that? I don't get it. These f*****s who try to avoid it should hang their heads in shame.

"That comedian... What's his name? Carr? W****r. I mean, just w****r. No, he's not getting away with it for me."

Robson added: "Sorry, there are people dying because we don't pay our taxes. I'm proud to be a 50% tax-payer, very proud of it. Sorry, you're not getting away with it. Shame on you... because you didn't pay your tax."

Gary refused to comment after coming under a deluge of criticism amid demands he be stripped of his OBE when the story about his tax affairs broke in May.

He later tweeted that he had a "new team of accountants" and added: "I want to apologise to anyone who was offended by the tax stories earlier this year."

Robson, who stars in ITV drama Grantchester, said of the way that he spends his TV earnings: "I don't have flash cars or massive mansions or anything like that and I'm not decadent with my money.

"I started a film company with the money I got from Soldier, Soldier and invested in the area - we started producing drama that was shown around the world, in 140 countries, and employed hundreds and hundreds of people."