Mr Selfridge star fondled me, says Playboy model
JEREMY Piven, star of ITV drama Mr Selfridge, cornered a former Playboy model and forcefully groped her, it was claimed yesterday.
Writing on Twitter, actress Ariane Bellamar, 38, accused the American actor of fondling her breasts and bottom – once while on the set of TV show Entourage and the other at the Playboy mansion.
In a statement, Emmy awardwinner Piven, 52, said: ‘I unequivocally deny the appalling allegations being peddled about me. It did not happen.’
On Tuesday, Miss Bellamar tweeted: ‘Jeremy Piven, on two occasions, cornered me & forcefully fondled my breasts & bum. Once at the mansion & once on set.’ Network CBS, which broadcasts Piven’s latest series Wisdom Of The Crowd, said it was ‘aware of the media reports and [is] looking into the matter’.
HBO, which aired Entourage, said it has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on sexual harassment.