Former pupils at a Camden comprehensive are protesting against a decision to invite Damian Lewis to launch the school’s 50th anniversary celebrations because the actor went to “elitist” Eton College.

The Homeland actor has agreed to switch on the laser display at Acland Burghley school, in Tufnell Park, north-west London, when the school marks its landmark birthday on Wednesday night.

But the involvement of Lewis, a local resident, has caused outrage among former pupils who say that the exclusive education he enjoyed at Eton is at odds with comprehensive ethos and values which Acland Burghley represents.

The former pupils, who have launched an online petition calling for the invitation to be rescinded, have asked why Lewis was chosen ahead of the school’s well-known alumni, such as the chart-topping reggae singer Eddy Grant, Ms Dynamite and Lee Thompson, the Madness saxophone player.

Rachel Cohen, a City University sociology lecturer who is leading the campaign, wrote on the online petition: “Damian Lewis, was educated at Eton a school that, more than any other, represents the reproduction of privilege and inequality in the UK.

“We have nothing against him as an actor or local resident, but he is a wholly inappropriate choice for this celebration of a wonderful local comprehensive school.” The petition has attracted more than 80 signatures and prompted a hashtag #RealBurghley.

Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated Show all 7 1 /7 Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated MPs Hardly a surprise: One in three (33 per cent) of MPs went to private school, compared to seven per cent of the public. This includes 52 per cent of Conservatives, 41 per cent of Liberal Democrats, and 10 per cent of Labour MPs PA Wire Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated The media More than half of the top 100 media professionals (54 per cent) are privately educated, compared to 47 per cent in 1986. Half of them went to Oxbridge, while two thirds of new entrants to journalism have managerial and professional family backgrounds Getty Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated Judges Although the Government is committed to ensuring a more diverse judiciary, seven in 10 senior judges went to independent schools Rex Features Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated The England cricket team A large percentage of England's cricket team is privately educated: 33 per cent PA Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated BBC executives 26 per cent of BBC executives went to private school. Getty Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated Civil Service Over half (57 per cent) of Whitehall permanent secretaries are Oxbridge educated, while 11 per cent went to comprehensive schools Getty Elitist Britain: Run by the privately educated House of Lords Although it doesn't seem possible, the House of Lords is even more dominated by the elite than the Commons: two thirds of Conservative peers, half of Labour, and 62 per cent of crossbenchers attended an independent school. A miserable 12 per cent went to a comprehensive AFP/Getty

Ms Cohen told Camden New Journal: “Burghley has a brilliant performing arts heritage. When I was there half my class were acting in Grange Hill. At the moment there is a public debate about whether the acting profession is too elitist, with Eton educated people very much in the public eye. This is another reason we should be celebrating Acland Burghley's achievements even more.”

The Real Burghley Twitter feed urged Lewis to make "a statement about the importance of comprehensive education" when he appears at the school.

She had been told by the celebration’s organisers that it had not been able to secure any Burghley-educated figures from the arts world in time for the event. Other Burghley graduates include John Alford, the former Grange Hill actor and Akala, the rapper, who is Ms Dynamite’s brother.

Mr Lewis declined to comment directly on the petition but added he was looking forward to the event, according to the Camden paper.

Nicholas John, the school’s headteacher, said the anniversary party was just one of a number of celebrations scheduled, which would involve a wide variety of people.

Mr John said: “Damian Lewis very kindly agreed to open the light show for us, to give up an evening of his time. The school he went to is of no consequence. We are planning to hold a series of other events over the next two years and we will be inviting many other people to take part.”

He added: “I cannot expand on who was or was not invited, and we do have a large number of prestigious alumni. However, our school community extends to people living in our neighbourhood.

“We are excited and proud to have anyone who holds value in education to come and take part. We are a community school and this event is about touching base with people in the area. We are delighted someone who lives in our area is happy to give up their time and show their support for the school.”

“We are grateful when anyone from any background comes in, if they have something of educational value to offer.”