20 year old claims he was 'having a joke' with TV presenter

"He deserved it" was the reaction of Ross Hamilton who made tabloid headlines this week after hitting TV presenter Ant McPartlin.

The 20 year old, who was watching the Arsenal v Barcelona game in the The Barley Mow Pub along with Ant and Dec and their friends, showed no remorse for his actions claiming he was "having a joke".

He told The Sun: "I put my arm round Ant and said, 'Where's your girlfriend?'

"I thought he must be used to that. He didn't think it was funny so I pinched his cheek and said, 'You're cute when you get angry'. He didn't like that then I just gave him a little slap."

A spokesperson for The Convivial Pub Company who own The Barley Mow told ChiswickW4.com: "There was an incident on Tuesday night, there was a scuffle which was over very quickly. It was dealt with by the staff and friends of one of the people involved." He said he was unable to comment any further but was "satisfied in the way his staff dealt with the issue".

"The Barley Mow is a safe pub and rarely has issues. It is used by Ant and Dec from time to time, they are very popular with the staff and other customers and we hope they continue to come and see us."

"I'm not sorry. He deserved it," said Hamilton.

A spokesman for Ant McPartlin said that the award winning TV presenter wouldn't be taking the matter further.

March 12, 2011