Capital FM DJ Ant Payne arrested for ‘attacking taxi driver and being caught with cocaine in late-night bust-up’
DJ Ant Payne, 39, was arrested in South West London at around 1am on Sunday morning
THE PRESENTER of one of Britain’s most popular radio shows has been arrested for possessing cocaine, allegedly assaulting an Uber cab driver and damaging his vehicle's dashcam during a late-night bust-up.
Capital Drivetime DJ Ant Payne, 39, allegedly got into a row with the driver while out with his boyfriend in the early hours of the morning.
Police were called by the driver and Ant and his 23-year-old boyfriend were both arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Ant - a ‘friend to the stars’ who has interviewed some of the biggest names in music - was also held on suspicion of common assault and possession of cocaine after a small packet of white powder was apparently found on him during a body search.
He later agreed to accept a caution for possession of a Class A substance and was released under police investigation over the assault and criminal damage allegations.
Ant's boyfriend was also released from custody pending further police investigations.
It is understood Ant's partner has made a counter-claim of assault against the Uber driver and says the DJ then tried to protect him coming under attack.
Ant's boyfriend was left with a head wound and a source said:"He was pouring with blood after being punched by the driver.
"At that point he was outside the cab arguing with the driver and Ant then got out of the car and tried to defend his partner."
At some point during the row, the driver's dashcam was allegedly pulled from its socket and left on the bonnet of the vehicle.
ARRESTED IN SOUTH WEST LONDON
Ant, who took over Capital’s prime Drivetime music slot last month, did not present his show yesterday or today(Tues) and is expected to return on air next week.
The 4-7pm programme is broadcast in London and also digitally across Britain on the Capital FM network, which has a weekly audience of 7.4 million listeners.
The bust-up which led to his arrest at 1am on Sunday in Wandsworth Road, Nine Elms, South West London, is said to have followed a row with the Uber driver.
Police were called by the cabbie who claimed he was assaulted and his vehicle damaged, although police stressed the driver was uninjured in the incident.
A friend of Ant said: “He is a lovely guy and this is totally out of character for him. He hasn't got a violent bone in his body.
"Any and his partner are hopeful the police will not take the assault and criminal damage claims any further and they are both able to put this behind them.
”Both Ant and his partner had been drinking but were having fun and believe it was the driver who was being aggressive towards them."
The Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at approximately 01:00hrs on Sunday, 10 February to reports of a man assaulted in Wandsworth Road, SW8.
“Officers attended and two men, Man A, aged 39 and Man B, aged 23, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage.
“Man A was also arrested on suspicion of common assault and possession of class A drugs.
“The victim - a mini cab driver - was not injured.
“Both suspects were released under investigation in relation to the criminal damage and common assault.
“A caution was accepted by Man A in relation to possession of a class A substance.
“Enquiries continue.”
Ant is a lovely guy and this is totally out of character for him
Friend of the DJ
A spokesperson for the media company Global, owners of Capital, said: “We would not comment on a police matter.”
Payne, originally from Solihull, West Mids, started his radio career at Bournemouth station Fire FM before moving to Galaxy Radio to host the mid-morning show from Manchester in 2004.
In 2011 he landed a job at Capital FM in London where he fronted a mid-morning show until last month, when he was given the Drivetime show.
Vegetarian Payne, known for his light-hearted banter on-air, says on his website that highlights of his career have included interviews with Calvin Harris, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes and One Direction.
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He writes: “The most surreal but amazing things that have happened to me throughout my career include buying Kanye West an ‘adult magazine’ as a thank you for letting me interview him. He loved it FYI.”
He also boasts about presenting his show from a tiny plane over Wembley Stadium - and watching the station engineer vomit while he was on air.
And he proudly carried the Olympic torch in the run up to the 2012 Games in London.
Payne is also a regular on-air host of Capital’s Summertime Ball and Jingle Bell Ball held at Wembley Stadium and the O2 Arena.
In July 2017, Payne hosted all 3 days of the Clothes Show Live alongside Mollie King and Kimberley Walsh.
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