Sean Bean arrested over allegations he assaulted his fourth wife

The 49-year-old actor was taken to a North London police station night after 29-year-old Georgina Sutcliffe reported he had hurt her during a row the previous night.

Bean, best known for starring in the TV series Sharpe, is alleged to have spent six hours in police custody before being released on bail.

Sean Bean marries Georgina Sutcliffe at Marylebone Registery office in February

The actor, who also played Boromir in Lord of the Rings, was arrested at his home in Camden, North London, on Thursday night following a row.

It is alleged that his 29-year-old wife, who has only been married to him for five months, called the police saying she was being attacked.

Bean is said to have denied the allegations of assault claiming it was simply a domestic row that had got out of hand.

Officers escorted the actor to the nearest police station in Holborn before he was released on bail at about 6am yesterday morning.

His wife subsequently dropped the allegations and police have reported that no further action was being taken.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'A 49-year-old man was arrested in Camden on Thursday following allegation of assault.

'He was taken to a London police station and held in custody.

'He was released on bail on Friday morning. The allegations have subsequently been withdrawn and the bail charges dropped.

'He will not need to report on bail next month.'

Yesterday the couple, who only got married in February, insisted that the relationship was intact at their £2 million townhouse in Belsize Park.

Ms Sutcliffe, who is an actress, said: 'Everything is ok. Sean and I are at home together enjoying the sunshine.'

'He was arrested. Everything was blown out of proportion.

'The police held him quite a while but Sean is fine and I am fine. There is not problem between us.'

Bean, who is currently on a break from filming the next series of Sharpe out in India, said: 'I'm fine.'

The actor, who was born in Sheffield, is also involved with at least two films which are being produced this year.

It is the second time a film-star has been arrested over allegations of assault.

On Wednesday Batman star Christian Bale confronted his mother after she allegedly insulted his wife.

Sources close to the actor said he 'flew off the handle' at London's Dorchester hotel after Jenny Bale said 'some outrageous things'.

Bale, who was born in Wakes, was arrested and held at a central London police station over the assault claim, which he has denied.

Bean's most well-known role was in the television series Sharpe, in which he played a British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars.

This led to film roles in James Bond adventure Goldeneye, Patriot Games and playing Greek hero Odysseus in Troy.

He has been divorced three times after marrying his school sweetheart Debra James in 1981.

In an interview, the actor once said: 'Thank God men and women are so different. That's the excitement. That's what makes them so irresistible.'