Olympic decathlete Dean Macey has said he regrets a fight in a Basildon restaurant.

The Canvey sporting hero has been advised to stay silent over the incident at the Pizza Hut at Mayflower retail park, Basildon, on Friday night.

However, his agent, Jonathan Marks, today (Tuesday) confirmed an incident took place.

The confrontation erupted after an argument with another customer, Malcolm Payton, over queue jumping.

Mr Payton, 32, of South Woodham Ferrers, claimed he was left with a bloodied nose after the athlete headbutted him but Macey's agent Jonathan Marks refused to comment on the nature of the scuffle.

Mr Marks said: "No one is disputing that an incident took place and he regrets the incident happened."

Mr Macey was unavailable for comment. Police, who were called to the restaurant by staff at about 9pm, said they were taking no action, because neither side wanted to press charges.

Restaurant manager Karen Brown confirmed there was a confrontation between Mr Macey and Mr Payton but declined to comment further.

Mr Payton said he had gone to the restaurant with wife Angela and son George, aged two, and daughter Cidney, seven months.

He claimed Macey pushed into the queue. When his wife told him she was waiting, he swore at her.

Mr Payton said: "Angela was in the queue when this bloke leant over and said to the waitress 'Table for four, love.'

"I didn't like the fact that he swore in front of my wife and children. I did say to him 'We need to step outside to sort this out.' That's when he headbutted me."

"I didn't want a fight with him because I had my kids with me."

He added: "He did say he was sorry eventually. I just wanted to leave it but I was angry. He was nasty and aggressive."

Dean Macey - row with customer at Pizza Hut

By James Taylor

Reporter's e-mail: james.taylor@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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