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Bannerman held by police

11/12/2007

I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! contestant Marc Bannerman has been held by police following an argument with paparazzi photographers.

The former EastEnders actor had been lunching in a Pembrokeshire pub with ex-Catatonia lead singer Cerys Matthews when the tabloid photographers blocked the couple into a car park.

Bannerman and another man were released on police bail pending further inquires, according to Dyfed-Powys police.

Meriel Murphy, who owns the Ship Inn in Trifin, said Matthews was in a "distressed state" following the incident.

"It was horrible because they had such a nice time in the pub," she said.

"One minute everything was fine and they were having a meal and when they tried to leave they couldn't get out.

"There were around 15 photographers around the car blocking them in the car park and they refused to let them out.

"Cerys was very distressed and I had to fetch a car to take her home. I think Marc Bannerman kept his cool very well. He got out and remained polite and said, 'For God's sake, let us go' but they were just laughing and making fun."

Bannerman and Matthews' flirting made the headlines during their stint on the ITV1 reality show after the actor's long-term girlfriend Sarah Matravers flew to Australia to visit him, only to return to the UK distraught after witnessing her boyfriend's onscreen behaviour.

Bannerman later admitted to feeling extremely guilty for his antics in the Australian jungle, saying: "I just developed feelings for someone in there and I've got a missus at home, I'm a rat.

"I can't look for a scapegoat. The buck stops here," he added.