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Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies 'bit homeless man's ear in drunken attack'
Updated 10:31am on 13 Dec 2007To millions, he is the eccentric and slightly dishevelled TV sleuth Jonathan Creek.
But last night actor Alan Davies was trying to live down his starring role in a rather less glamorous drama.
It took place at 2am outside the Groucho Club in the West End of London when a vagrant approached him, apparently wanting to shake his hand.
Davies, who admits he had had too much to drink, ended up seizing the man, sinking his teeth into his ear and having to be dragged away by friends.
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Alan Davies (left) has apologised after attacking Paul McElfatrick (right)
The victim, 40-year-old Paul McElfatrick, spoke yesterday of his agony as he tried to fight off the Dracula-style attack.
He said he walked up to Davies, calling him by his TV character's name, which appeared to anger him.
"He almost spat the words, 'My name's Alan. You know my name - Alan. What's my name? It's Alan'," he said. "Then he suddenly went for my left ear.
"It was incredibly painful. I shrieked and my eyes were watering. He hung on and drew blood.'
He said the biting continued for about 13 seconds. "I was shaking with shock afterwards. I still can't sleep on that side of my head."
McElfatrick, a former shop worker who spends his days begging on the streets of the capital, says he will not be pressing charges against the actor.
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The Groucho Club: The attack took place outside the upmarket Soho venue
Davies, 41, a millionaire, who is also a panellist on BBC1's QI show, has apologised for his actions, saying he was "upset and emotional" after attending the funeral of Jonathan Creek producer, Verity Lambert.
He insisted McElfatrick had provoked him with a tirade of verbal abuse.
"I remember this guy coming up and wanting to talk," he said. "After a while he started getting aggressive. He began calling me the 'c' word and other names.
"I lost it a bit and we had something of a tussle. I didn't realise he was homeless.
"I was very upset and emotional. I had a lot to drink over many hours. Far too much really and a lot more than normal but it was an upsetting day.
Emotional day: Alan Davies delivered the eulogy at the funeral of the Jonathan Creek producer Verity Lambert before the attack
"The next morning I texted my friend to apologise and find out exactly what happened. I'm not normally an aggressive guy."
After being informed his attack may have been captured on CCTV, Davies added: "I guess this isn't going to look good, is it?
"The last thing I want is another negative story about 'that obnoxious Jonathan Creek star'. Oh God what a nightmare."
Despite Davies's affable TV persona, colleagues say that off-camera he is a gloomier character and "a bit of a grumbler".
"Alan's cup is always half empty," said one. "He moans about acting because it makes him tired, he moans about the quality of the scripts and he's notoriously prickly."
The Essex-born son of an accountant lives in a £1.4million townhouse in North London with literary agent Kate Maskell, whom he married earlier this year.
The wedding followed a rocky two-year romance with Absolutely Fabulous star Julia Sawalha, whom he met on the set of Jonathan Creek in 2002.
Their relationship led to Miss Sawalha falling out with her older sister, TV presenter Nadia, who called Davies a "miserable git".
Another former girlfriend described him as a Jekyll and Hyde character - charming and funny one moment, miserable the next.
His unsavoury behaviour outside the Groucho Club puts him in a rather exclusive club.
In 1997 American boxer Mike Tyson famously bit a chunk out of the ear of his opponent Evander Holyfield, resulting in the fight being called off. He was banned for a year.
Ten years ago footballer-turned-Hollywood-star Vinnie Jones clamped his jaws around a journalist's nose during a drunken night out in Dublin.
The last series of Jonathan Creek ended in 2004, although the show is currently being repeated on satellite television.
The makers of QI, the cerebral comedy show hosted by Stephen Fry, said last night there were no plans to drop Davies from the line-up.
Reader views (18)
Everyone can have an off moment, and besides the guy did give him an earful!
- Richard De Meath, Bournemouth, England, 07/09/2009 23:49
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Alan Davis is famous... he is a great actor!
It would bug me to be consistently harassed by fans, and like Martin said, it is annoying to be pestered after a night out when all you need is your bed! and especially if a close friend has just died!
Leave Alan alone.
- Ali, London, U.K, 15/04/2008 02:23
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Who the hell does Alan think he is? He should be flattered that he is recognised as Jonathan Creek, after all that is his most notable acting role he has ever had, he shouldn't be offended that not everyone knows his real name, he is not that famous!
- Edward, London, UK, 15/12/2007 02:32
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I had the chance to meet Alan 2 years ago, he isn't arrogant or rude or aggressive in the slightest. Sure he isn't the chirpy character he is on QI but he is certainly not grumpy. Just a very funny guy with questionable hair.
It annoys me when you're trying to head home, you're tired and have had a good night on the tiles that hobos harrass everyone for money. Being recognisable is far worse and this street man was clearly giving him ample abuse. It's not surprising they had a 3 second scuffle. The man's ear is fine.
- Martin, London, UK, 12/12/2007 06:41
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This is disgusting! Provocation or not, you do not bite other people's ears. EVER! Charming? Please. Who does "Alan" think he is famous? Not in the USA pal, never heard of YOU. This Alan must be VERY insecure individual.
- Rebecca, San Francisco, CA. USA, 11/12/2007 21:33
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He's the nice, white Mike Tyson.
- John H. Evans, London, U.K., 11/12/2007 19:22
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Pathetic. The so called 'celebrities' once again hit the media for all the wrong reasons. They should learn to act like the public figures that they are. He should get community service so that he stops to think before he goes biting someone else again... something like this cannot go unpunished.
- Andy Hulley, London, 11/12/2007 17:58
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An emotional day, nice excuse, he was as drunk as a lord and picked on defenceless nobody. We all get hassle from beggars, but do not bite them, no doubt he will get off with a slap on the wrist. He passes himself off as an easy going liberal as well.
- Darren, London, 11/12/2007 17:17
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Good for Alan! The guy sounds like an obnoxious idiot who takes no personal responsibility in life.
- Sally, London, 11/12/2007 16:55
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I suggest Mr McElfatrick should wear a balaclava. This would keep his ears warm and hide them from voracious celebrity nibblers.
- Robin Goodfellow, London, United Kingdom, 11/12/2007 16:17
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I’ve been with Alan when he’s been three sheets to the wind, subject to unnecessary attentions from his being on the tellybox and he was the consummate gentleman.
In this instance he was clearly provoked by some person winding him up after a very emotional day.
Robert, if you’d just spent the day saying goodbye to a dear friend and some person started to refer to you by a fictitious pseudonym in between calling you a ‘see you next Tuesday’ I’m sure you’d be a little peeved too.
Actually, I though nipping the bloke in the ear as opposed to just smacking him one in the pills was a rather charming touch. Well done Alan.
- Piqued, London, 11/12/2007 16:12
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Alan Davies seems a very likeable chap even after the ear attack. The victim's ear is still in one piece I take it? These ears (pictured) look to be in fine shape. Quite large targets it must be said.
- John, Roermond, Netherlands, 11/12/2007 15:50
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So how come there isn't a mark on his ear if it was bitten for 13 seconds? I think some homeless man abused a famous person and got more than he bargained for. If he doesn't want people turning on him he should start abusing them.
- Sara, Lincoln, 11/12/2007 15:41
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Get a job!
- Nick, Zurich, Switzerland, 11/12/2007 15:25
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As if being homeless isn't bad enough, you get bitten by Alan Davies. Still, it could be worse - imagine being bitten by Michael Winner. Hope Mr Elfatrick got himself a tetanus shot...
- Jim, London, 11/12/2007 14:06
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Homeless or not, if you start abusing people like that then you should expect consequences against you. I don't have much sympathy for the bloke. I expect AD can expect some further abuse, however, for giving people even more earache than normal.
- Hobbs, London, UK, 11/12/2007 14:03
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For a man in the public eye, this is disgusting, what ever happened he should have not have bitten this poor man, he should be ashamed.
- Robert Washington, Portsmouth, UK, 11/12/2007 13:56
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How does he know he is a millionaire? What a strange tale. Not a nice thing to happen to anyone but really.
- Rachroo, Edinburgh, 11/12/2007 13:00
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