Actor and writer Meera Syal gave her backing to a new crackdown on forced marriage yesterday.
The Midland-born Kumars at No 42 star said a new Government campaign would help educate people about the difference between arranged and forced marriages.
A joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office publicity campaign was officially launched in central London.
Former EastEnders star Ameet Chana, who played minicab driver Adi Ferreira, is also backing the campaign.
Ms Syal said: "Young people need to know that there is help out there and we want the older generations to know that we respect their culture, tradition and we understand that arranged marriages have a place in society.
"But there is a vast difference between an arranged and a forced marriage."
Mr Chana said: "I, probably like most people, believed that only women were affected and forced into marriage, but I was amazed to find that 15 per cent of the cases that are currently reported to the unit are men.
"I bet that the numbers are far greater, but it's hard for men to come forward and admit they need help and are being forced into a situation like this.
"This campaign is key to reassuring them that they are not alone and help is available."
Home Office minister Baroness Scotland QC said forced marriage affected children, teenagers and adults from all races and religions, including Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Sikhs.
She added: "It is not solely an issue facing Asian communities. We deal with cases in the Middle East, Western Balkans and Africa.
"Forced marriage is a form of domestic violence and a human rights abuse. The victims often face emotional and physical abuse.
"We are determined to help young people at risk and protect their right to choose whom they marry."
The Government is due to announce within weeks whether forcing people to marry will be made a specific new criminal offence.
Results of a consultation paper published last September are due out next month.
