Actress Gillian Taylforth was allegedly attacked by her partner in front of their son after a heated argument, it emerged today.

The 51-year-old former EastEnders star was allegedly punched so hard by Geoff Knights she toppled over a sofa and hit her skull on a coffee table. She was treated for her injuries and had three stitches to her scalp.

It was claimed that businessman Knights, 53, spent 18 hours in a cell and was released with a caution after Taylforth decided not to press charges.

The couple were believed to be celebrating 20 years together with sevenyearold son Harrison before the reportedly violent row broke out at the home in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.

It is the latest in a long line of fallouts between the two in their stormy relationship. In 2001 Knights smashed up the family home after another argument at a restaurant. It took 10 policemen to pin him down.

Six years earlier their chauffeur was allegedly hit by Knights as he helped Taylforth move out of the couple's home.

In 1994, Knights threw a policeman down the stairs and was convicted of assault. That was just after police had caught Taylforth performing a sex act on Knights in their Range Rover on an A1 slip road.

Last year she was taken to hospital during her 50th birthday party after trying to break up a 4am brawl involving Knights. She injured a leg when she fell against a metal post.

A friend said of this weekend's incident: "Geoff went berserk. He lost it. She banged her head and there was a lot of blood."

Taylforth shot to fame in EastEnders playing Kathy Beale and also starred in ITV's Footballers' Wives. Currently she is in ITV's The Bill.