Hayden Panettiere Parents Insist Assault Mess Is Overblown 8/12/08

Actress Hayden Panettiere's parents have spoken out about the incident which led to a police arrest on Monday morning (11Aug08), insisting the matter has been "completely blown out of proportion."

The Heroes star's father, Alan, was arrested on suspicion of felony spousal abuse on Monday, after allegedly striking his wife, Lesley, three times. But the Panettieres have now appeared on TV in America in an effort to clear up what they call a huge mix up.

The couple tell U.S. TV news show Extra, "It was all a big misunderstanding. Nothing actually happened." A spokesman for the couple tells the show, "They love each other very much and want everyone to know that the matter was completely blown out of proportion."

Reports suggest Lesley Panettiere called police after a fight with her husband turned violent. The incident is said to have followed a row at actress Eva Longoria's Los Angeles restaurant Beso late on Sunday night (10Aug08). Alan Panettiere, a fire department official, was released from jail on $50,000 (£25,000) bail on Monday.