The TV star was apparently ‘in a drunken frenzy’ when he lashed out at the man, accusing him of making inappropriate comments about his 27 year-old girlfriend Anne-Marie Sterpini - who was also at the dinner.
This guy touched Anne-Marie’s bum... what guy can say they would stand for that happening to their girlfriend?
It was reported yesterday that guests at the at the plush hotel dinner looked on as the 48 year-old punched the man five times.
When the fight broke out, diners were said to have overheard Gregg shouting: ‘Don’t f****** speak to my girlfriend like that’
But Gregg – who was reportedly ushered out following the clash – has today defended his actions, saying he was sticking up for his girlfriend after she had her bum groped.
Gregg said the guest – who has since been identified as 55 year-old married magazine boss Paul Bates – was being ‘disrespectful.’
The BBC presenter explained: ‘This guy touched Anne-Marie’s bum and made some inappropriate comments.
I get very passionate about these things. I did what any bloke would do
‘I’m not the sort of bloke who lets something like that go. It’s completely disrespectful. What guy can say they would stand for that happening to their girlfriend?
‘I get very passionate about these things. I did what any bloke would do.’
But Mr Bates claims the clash came ‘out of the blue.’
Giving his account of the incident, Mr Bates – who had his daughter with him at the event said he was simply ‘chatting’ with the TV presenter’s girlfriend.
‘Out of the blue, he just turned on me and pushed me across the room and I fell on a table.
‘But later, Gregg gave me an apology and we had a couple of whiskies together. It was something and nothing.’
Although a spokesman for Gregg has said the conflict has been resolved, police are reportedly making ‘inquiries’ into the incident while BBC executives said Gregg’s behavior was ‘unacceptable.’