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Love Island’s Chris Hughes pictured fighting with paparazzi as he leaves NTAs with Jesy Nelson

Reality star has since apologised on social media as police launch investigation into incident

Ellie Harrison
Wednesday 29 January 2020 12:44 GMT
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Love Island's Chris Hughes gets testicular exam live on ITV's This Morning

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Chris Hughes has been pictured fighting with a paparazzo on his way out of the National Television Awards in the early hours of Wednesday morning (29 January).

The former Love Island star was photographed in a scuffle outside the O2 Arena before he got into a taxi with his girlfriend, Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson, who won an award for her mental health documentary Odd One Out.

Earlier in the night, while accepting her prize for best factual entertainment series, Nelson said: “I want to thank Chris, my boyfriend for just bringing me up every day and making me feel confident.”

Hughes has since apologised for the incident, writing on his Instagram story: “I want to address last night’s altercation. I was having an amazing night celebrating the award my girlfriend deservedly won...”

He added: “After coming out of our hotel a particular paparazzi decided to repeatedly call me a name I wouldn’t call my worst enemy, and physically try and start try and start an altercation. As everyone can see I retaliated back badly to this which I regret...

“I’m human. No different to anyone else, however, I want to make everyone aware this was only in self defense. I hope people I care about including my followers, family and friends can understand and forgive me.

“This night was about Jesy’s win and I am sorry if I distracted anyone from this. Ultimately, I’m the proudest boyfriend ever and want to congratulate my amazing girlfriend for a deserving win. I am proud of you.”

Shortly before Hughes released his statement, the Metropolitan Police said an investigation is set to be launched.

A Met Police spokesman told MailOnline: “We can confirm that at 03:52hrs on Wednesday, 29 January, police received a report of assault and criminal damage following an altercation between two men at Waterview Drive, Greenwich...

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“The reported criminal damage relates to photographic equipment. There were no reported injuries. There have been no arrests. Enquiries continue.”

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