Tom Daley stepped in to stop a fight in a gay bar in London when his husband threw a drink over a television presenter, a court heard.

Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, 48, was charged with assault after he allegedly threw a drink over Teddy Edwardes, 32, at Freedom Bar in Soho on 18 August 2022.

Mr Black was out with Mr Daley, 28, when the American was involved in a confrontation with Ms Edwardes, who presents The Big Proud Party Agency on BBC3.

The couple live in California and Black appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video-link from his Los Angeles home wearing a blue pullover and black framed glasses and spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He indicated a plea of not guilty to one charge of assault by beating following the brief hearing on Thursday. Mr Black is said to have called police himself to claim Ms Edwardes had punched him.

Ms Edwardes said Black threw a drink over her and she responded with "a little tap on the head". Mr Daley was said to have attempted to diffuse the situation.

District Judge John Law said Black, who denies assault, would remain on unconditional bail until the trial.

He said: "Mr Black, you’re due for trial at this court on 8 August at 10 o’clock, unconditional bail to attend on that date. Thank you, you can go."

Mr Black grew up in a Mormon household and won an Academy Award for his 2008 film Milk.

He married Mr Daley married in 2017 and announced the birth of their second son earlier this month.