Cruise's fury at 'comedy' stunt

A freelance camera crew working for a Channel 4 comedy show have been arrested after squirting Tom Cruise with water.

The actor was drenched with water from a water pistol disguised a microphone at the War Of The Worlds premiere for a new prank TV show.

Cruise immediately challenged the spoof interviewer: “Why would you do that? What’s so funny about that? You like doing mean things to people.

The interviewer tried to back away from the situation saying: “I apologise. I didn’t think you’d take it like that. I thought it was a funny joke.

But the star, clearly annoyed but maintaining his composure, said: "Don’t run away. That's incredibly rude.

“I'm here giving you an interview and answering your questions and you do something really nasty. You’re a jerk.”

The four men, working on a show titled Grand Classics, were arrested on suspicion of assault and later released on bail.

They had previously targeted Sharon Osbourne, who screamed: 'You fucking bastard!' at the cameraman, before returning to soak him in a bucket of water

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "The incident was for a new Channel 4 entertainment show, part of which involves playing comedy pranks on celebrities and on members of the public.

"The water squirting was not intended to cause offence and was very much in a spirit of fun.

"We hope Tom Cruise will be able to see the joke in the spirit with which it was intended."

Published: 20 Jun 2005