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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