Film star Russell Crowe has denied a report he banned from an English pub following an argument about closing time, locals say.
The Sunday Express newspaper had reported Crowe got into a spirited argument over licensing laws that ended with the Oscar winner being banned from The Brickmakers pub in Windlesham, Surrey.
The newspaper quoted a duty manager at the pub and an unnamed local, who said Crowe had offered money to keep drinking after closing time and had smashed a plate when he didn't get his way.
But Crowe's spokesman, Grant Vandenberg, told the TODAY show the story was a complete fabrication and that Crowe had never even had a beer at the pub.
"The only truth in the whole thing is he has been to the hotel," Mr Vandenberg told TODAY.
"He's been there four or five times with his kids, there's a playground in the back of the hotel.
"He's never had a beer in the pub, he's never had a drink in the hotel — he's been in there with his children."
An employee at The Brickmakers told ninemsn that staff members were not allowed to speak about the story.
When asked directly if Crowe had been banned from the pub, he declined to answer.
It is not known if the pub will make a statement about the alleged ban.
Crowe has recently been praised for his good deeds while shooting a new Robin Hood movie near the genteel villages southwest of London.
News of Crowe's kindness had spread through the area earlier after it emerged he had donated cash to a nearby charity shop.
Cancer Research UK shop branch manager Julia Deane said the actor was not happy details of his STG1,000 ($A1,998) donation had come to light but Crowe's publicity agents approved the gesture being made public.
"I know he wasn't best pleased and we're sorry because he was so kind to us, but perhaps he should take it up with them. It seems they were keen to let the world know."
Earlier, Crowe had given one of the film crew money to buy a new car after hers burst into flames while she was driving to the set.
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