"Zoe announced on twitter it was her Liverpool party that night, but the photographers already knew where they were going to be.

"Ricky is not drinking at the moment because of Strictly, so he decided to drive.

"When he came out, he noticed the photographers and jumped in his car.

"As he was driving away he supposedly caught Steve with the car."

A BBC spokesman confirmed Ricky would dance in tonight’s show.

A Hollyoaks spokesman said: "Ricky was released and no charges have yet been brought against him.

"He is very disappointed with the harassment he has suffered from the paparazzi and has instructed lawyers to take the appropriate steps in relation to the photographer."

A Merseyside police spokesman said: "Police can confirm a 29-year-old man from Billinge, who was arrested on suspicion of assault in Liverpool, was released on police bail pending further inquiries.

"It followed an incident in Duke Street in the early hours of this morning."

He could risk missing further practise sessions with dance partner Natalie Lowe.

Farrell was previously involved in an incident involving footballer Paul Gascoigne four years ago.

A spokesman for Parr Street Studios confirmed one of the venue's bars, Studio Two, was hired for last night's event by the Hollyoaks crew. He said the alleged incident took place after the bar was closed for the night and some distance away.