Actor Jaleel White has addressed recent reports accusing him of domestic abuse, dismissing his ex-girlfriend's allegations as "hurtful" lies.
The Dancing With The Stars competitor, who played nerdy Steve Urkel in TV sitcom Family Matters, has been accused of physical and verbal abuse by a former lover in a new interview with U.S. magazine Star.
Bridget Hardy, the mother of White's daughter, claims "he hit me across the chest area" and "pushed me into (the) toilet," causing it to break during an altercation in 2010.
The actor has now responded to the allegations, which he claims are "hurtful" lies stemming from a "malicious police report" filed in connection with a bitter child custody dispute. No charges were filed against White.
He says, "When you're doing well in life, it's par for the course certain individuals will try and knock you down. When the individual is also the mother of your only child it is particularly hurtful...
"The allegations made against me back in 2010 have suspiciously resurfaced in time to coincide with my new show on Syfy and Dancing With The Stars. Bridget Hardy has consistently shown a knack for timing throughout our child custody disputes."
White is hoping to resolve the matter for the sake of his little girl, adding, "My only hope is that when my daughter Googles her parents one day in her future, she sees that her father acted with class and dignity when pressed to the fire.
"Bridget Hardy is the mother of my only daughter in this world and without Ms. Hardy I would not have the treasure that is my daughter... I can assure all of my fans this is only residue from a child custody matter."