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Leona Lewis Reportedly Punched by Man at London Book Signing

By Daniel Kreps
October 14, 2009 4:14 PM ET

Leona Lewis was reportedly punched in the side of the head during a book signing today in London, Yahoo! U.K. reports. Lewis was at Piccadilly Circus to sign copies of her autobiography Dreams when, 90 minutes in, "a guy came up and punched her to the side of the head," Lewis' spokesperson said. Initial reports indicated Lewis was slapped, but her spokesperson, who witnessed the attack, said the altercation was more severe than that. According to witnesses at the signing, the incident was "unprovoked," with the suspect reportedly approaching Lewis to have his book signed, and after she looked up following the signing, the suspect punched her.

Police were quickly called to the scene and arrested an unnamed man "following reports of an assault against a female." Witnesses tell the BBC that the suspect was "laughing" while security wrestled him down following the incident. Lewis, who suffered bruising on the side of her head, was so "shaken" by the incident that she was forced to cancel the remainder of the signing. Thankfully, she did not require hospital care, but she did cancel a BBC appearance scheduled for later that day.

Lewis recently performed as part of VH1's Divas special in New York. See photos from the event here.

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• Artist to Watch: Leona Lewis

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