Grant arrested over 'assault' on photographer

Mounting tensions between the paparazzi and their prey reached boiling point yesterday after it emerged that Hugh Grant had been arrested for allegedly assaulting a photographer.

Television crews, reporters and photographers were encamped outside the Chelsea home of the film star ­ scene of Tuesday morning's altercation in which it is alleged Mr Grant threw a tub of beans at snapper Ian Whittaker.

The alleged assault left the photographer "bruised, battered and covered in baked beans", he claimed.

It is the latest high-profile fracas between a celebrity and those who earn their living capturing their every move on film. But the famous are fighting back ­ among them Prince Harry, who was photographed brawling outside a London nightclub and Lily Allen, who aimed a kung fu kick at a snapper. It also follows disquiet over alleged media intrusion suffered by Prince William's former girlfriend Kate Middleton.

Newspapers published pictures of the alleged assault on Wednesday, appearing to show Mr Grant kicking and kneeing the photographer in the groin.

Mr Whittaker claimed that the star swore at him and lashed out after he was asked to smile for a picture.

Mr Grant's lawyers confirmed that an incident took place but strongly denied claims relating to comments allegedly made by the star. His US spokesman said: "We can confirm that he was asked to go to a police station yesterday. We will find out at a future date if he is charged or not and if he is charged, what he is charged with."

Mr Whittaker told the Daily Star that the 46-year-old asked him whether he had children. When he said he had two, he claims the actor said: "I hope they die of fucking cancer."

He added: "That upset me because I think everyone can relate to cancer and it's not a nice thing to say."

It was also alleged that Mr Grant, who recently split from Jemima Khan, said: "Do you know who I am? I am a millionaire."

Mr Grant's lawyers Schillings insisted he had made no such comments. A letter to newspaper editors urged: "An incident did happen but this is now a matter for further investigation."

It was reported that Mr Grant voluntarily presented himself at Notting Hill police station on Wednesday, where he was arrested and questioned. He also gave a sample of DNA.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "A 46-year-old man was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault on a 43-year-old man in SW10 on April 24. He has been bailed to return to a police station on a date in May."

Mr Grant starred in the hit films Notting Hill, About a Boy and ­ in an uncharacteristic departure ­ as a selfish lothario in Bridget Jones' Diary. This year he topped the UK box office chart playing an ex-pop star in Music and Lyrics, alongside Drew Barrymore.

The Oxford-educated star has enjoyed a reputation as an urbane and witty actor, making him one of the film industry's most bankable properties. But he has been almost as famous for his off-screen romances as for his performances.

His long relationship with Liz Hurley helped turn her into one of the most photographed women in the world, not least after she turned up to the 1994 premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral wearing a plunging Versace dress held together by gold safety pins. They split in 2000 but are said to have remained close friends as well as neighbours.

Mr Grant and Jemima Khan, daughter of the late tycoon Sir James Goldsmith, separated amicably in February, according to their publicist. Their three-year relationship followed the break-up of her marriage to the former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan.

Celebrities vs the paparrazi

* Prince Harry was pictured on the front pages of newspapers tangling with a photographer outside Boujis nightclub in London where it was claimed he had spent the evening downing "Crack Baby" cocktails. Nirach Tanner, a freelance photographer, said: "He screamed at me to fuck off, then grabbed me by the collar and tried to shove me over."

* The lead singer with Jamiroquai, Jay Kay, was arrested and cautioned last September for attacking a photographer outside Soho's Kabaret club. He had already suffered a bloodied nose after an altercation with a photographer outside a film premiere in 2002. The year before, he was accused of attacking a paparazzo and smashing his equipment outside a London nightclub. The charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence

* The singer Lily Allen aimed a kung-fu kick at a female photographer and tried to wrestle her camera from her, after drinking in London's Groucho Club until 2am. Her boyfriend, Seb Chew, stepped in to calm her down, but an hour later Ms Allen reportedy lashed out at another paparazzo before she was ushered away by her companions

* The American singer Britney Spears was pictured allegedly attacking a photographer's car with an umbrella outside her home in Los Angeles, shortly after separating from her husband, Kevin Federline. The mother-of-two has been in a rehabitation clinic twice this year.