Hugh Grant has been arrested after allegedly hurling a tub of baked beans at a photographer.

He also reportedly kicked snapper Ian Whittaker.

Grant - who has been arrested before, when caught with prostitute Divine Brown in America - was taken to a police station last night for questioning over the alleged assault.

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Grant has been questioned by authorities over the alleged altercation

Photographer Ian Whittaker claims the actor attacked him

The arrest followed a clash with the freelance paparazzi photographer outside Grant's Chelsea home on Tuesday morning.

Mr Whittaker said he had turned up to take pictures of the actor's former girlfriend Liz Hurley, who lives in the same street. When Grant, 46, arrived in his car he asked him to smile as he took his picture.

The film star allegedly snapped, swearing at Mr Whittaker, 43, and reportedly kicking him three or four times. Then, as Grant entered his house, he allegedly turned and threw a plastic container of baked beans at him.

Mr Whittaker told a tabloid newspaper: “I said Give us a smile please' and he looked really angry.

“I walked backwards and he walked after me. He kicked me hard three or four times then kneed me in the groin.

The actor was arrested in LA after being caught with a prostitute

Grant had his fingerprints taken and provided a DNA sample. His other arrest was in Los Angeles 1995, when Grant was fined £1,000 for the Divine Brown incident.

Scotland Yard could not confirm the names of those involved on Tuesday, but said they were investigating an allegation of assault in Chelsea.

A spokeswoman added: “A 46- year-old man was arrested and has been bailed to a date next month.