Emmerdale stars 'provoked by drunken guest'

A group of stars from the ITV soap Emmerdale who had to be escorted out of a charity fundraising dinner after a brawl were provoked by a drunken guest, the event organiser said today.

A handful of cast members - including 20-year-old Ben Freeman, who plays mechanic Scott Windsor - were attending a function organised by the Make A Dream children’s charity at Elland Road football ground in Leeds on Tuesday.

They were escorted out of the premises by security staff following the incident but were allowed back in with apologies once the situation had calmed down.

Police were called but are not believed to have spoken to the TV stars.

Today, Make A Dream chief fundraiser Stuart Levin said the incident was started by a drunken guest.

Mr Levin said: ‘‘This guy had been bothering them all night. When he was asked to leave he stood up and fell down.

‘‘I believe Ben was trying to help him up when the guy thought he was attacking him and that’s when it all started. It was handbags at dawn really.’’

Mr Levin said the incident was over very quickly and there was no question the Emmerdale stars were to blame.

He said: ‘‘They were all sober, including Ben.

‘‘Ben received a certificate that night for his support for Make A Dream which has been fantastic.’’

Mr Levin said the evening, which included auctioning a luxury car and a house, raised about £100,000 for the charity which makes ‘‘dreams come true’’ for sick and terminally ill children in Yorkshire.

An Emmerdale spokesman said: ‘‘Some members of the Emmerdale cast were invited to the Make a Dream charity function to help raise funds.

‘‘Half way through the evening an unruly element invited themselves on to the Emmerdale table where they provoked members of the cast.

‘‘A scuffle ensued and security calmed the situation down by escorting those in the vicinity out of the building.

‘‘Organisers later apologised to the cast members and invited them to rejoin the function, stressing that they in no way held them responsible for the fracas.’’