Denzel Washington pulls out of Cannes Film Festival event after photographer bust-up

Denzel Washington has pulled out of the press conference for his new movie following an ugly altercation with a photographer at Cannes Film Festival on Monday. The Oscar-winning star was seen in the face of one snapper who appeared to grab at his shirt.

The 70-year-old star is in the French town to promote his new movie and had been scheduled to attend a press conference at the Palais des Festivals on Tuesday morning. but was nowhere to be seen.

Appearing to address Denzel's absence, film director Spike Lee announced: "The last time I was in this room, I had to apologise for a f**k up, but I won't be apologising today for a f**k up."

Scenes of Denzel shouting at the waiting photographer hit the headlines on Monday night.

A lip reading expert said the esteemed actor snapped after being repeatedly tapped on the arm.

Denzel told the eager photographer: 'Hey, one — one more time, stop.

'Let me tell you — stop, stop — never put your hands on me again,' he appears to shout at the photographer, who had a bizarre grin plastered on his face throughout the exchange.

'I’m talking to you, stop, all right,' he continued. Expert lip reader Jeremy Freenam told the Mail Online the photographer told Denzel 'Not allowed,' before laughing and adding, 'Yes, yes, yes.'

He then went to lunge at Denzel again and asked "Can I take a picture?'

Denzel then appeared to lose his cool as he shouted back: "Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it.'

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It's not the first time things have got heated on a Cannes red carpet. Last year, Kelly Rowland made headlines after she was seen scolding a security guard.

Kelly had been attending the premiere of Marcello Mio when the incident occurred. The singer was seen smiling for photos when a female security guard appeared to follow her and guide her away from the waiting press while she tried to pose.

The guard then stepped on the train of Kelly's dress and continued to place her hand on her back. The Destiny's Child star then turne around to speak to the security member and was seen raising a finger at her as she spoke.

Explaining the drama, Kelly said: "“The woman knows what happened; I know what happened.

“I have a boundary, and I stand by those boundaries and that is it. And there were other women who attended that carpet, who did not look quite like me,” she added. “And they didn’t get scolded, or pushed off or told to get off. And I stood my ground, and she felt like she had to stand hers. But I stood my ground.”

Fans rushed to Kelly's defence and said she had been 'rushed' on the stairs and accused the guard of disrespecting her by standing on her gown.