Actor Ricky Whittle best recently know from Strictly Come Dancing, has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a photographer.

The 28-year-old Hollyoaks star had been out celebrating at a colleague’s leaving party when he allegedly struck a man while driving his car in the early hours of this morning.The incident took place as Whittle left the Parr Street Studios in Liverpool city centre, where he and several other Hollyoaks cast members were marking the departure of two co-stars.

A Merseyside police spokesperson confirmed: “A 28-year-old man from Billinge, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody where he will be questioned by officers later today.

“The arrest follows an incident in which took place in Duke Street, Liverpool City Centre, in the early hours of Friday morning. The incident involved a collision with a male pedestrian.”It is believed Whittle’s car may have collided with a photographer named Steve Farrel, 34, as he attempted to drive home from the party.

Farrel was previously involved in an incident with footballer Paul Gascoigne in 2005, although the photographer later dropped assault charges against the former England star.

Whittle, who plays Calvin Valentine in the Channel 4 soap, has been impressing the Strictly judges each week with his performances with professional dance partner Natalie Lowe.He is the current favourite to win the series.It is still unclear whether his arrest will affect his appearance on Saturday’s live show.

He was joined at the part last night by a host of Hollyoaks co-stars, including Jennifer Metcalfe, Gemma Merna, Emma Rigby and Melissa Walton at the glitzy bash last night.


He also bumped into ex-girlfriend Carly Stenson at the party, which was the first time they have met face to face since calling time on their two-year relationship three weeks ago.

He has since been romantically linked to his dance partner Lowe, but has insisted they are just “good friends”.He said: “You have to have chemistry – it’s acting. I need to make people believe the rumba is about two people in love, and the tango is about passion.

“The papers get silly when they see us holding hands, but you have to have that closeness. Your hands are literally all over each other from day one.”

A spokesman for Hollyoaks and Whittle’s representatives at Rossmore Management both declined to comment.