EMMERDALE actor Mark Jordon told police he had a right to defend his daughter after he allegedly attacked a pensioner following a row in a beer garden, a court has heard.

The 54-year-old, who plays Daz Spencer in the soap, is accused of biting 68-year-old Andrew Potts after the argument outside the Farrars Arms pub in Oldham on July 1 last year.

On Wednesday, a jury at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard transcripts of police interviews with the former Heartbeat actor.

He told officers: "I'm only guilty of being insulted by a man who was saying nasty things about my daughter."

Jordon said he had been in the beer garden celebrating his engagement to co-star Laura Norton, who plays Kerry Wyatt, when he was told Mr Potts had made comments about his daughter, calling her a "slag".

Jordon said: "He was really derogatory and said some vile comments to her."

CCTV footage has shown Jordon being held back by others and Mr Potts throwing punches at him and kicking him.

Jordon told police: "I felt really aggrieved that the happiness had stopped. I felt I had every right to try and defend my daughter.

"I'm not a violent man."

Asked if alcohol had affected his behaviour, he said: "I think the gentleman's comments affected my behaviour."

He told officers Mr Potts and his partner Rosalind O'Neill had left the pub following the argument.

A short time later, Jordon said, he got a taxi to go home but saw them walking back in the direction of the pub.

He said: "He was being pulled on by his wife and he looked like he was a man on a mission."

Jordon told police he had approached Mr Potts, because he was worried he would cause trouble with his family who were still at the pub, but said Mr Potts lashed out.

He said: "He was kicking at me, he kicked me in the nuts."

Jordon told police he ended up on top of Mr Potts on the floor and the pensioner grabbed at his hair and mouth as he tried to get up.

He said: "He hooked me like a fish with his thumb, trying to pull me back."

In the interview, Jordon said he had been drinking alcohol for the first time in a while after being on a "health kick", and had shared a few bottles of prosecco with friends at the pub.

He was asked by officers if he had taken drugs and answered: "No, absolutely not."

The actor, who the court heard had asked for Mr Potts to be charged over the incident, told police he felt there was a "witch hunt" because he was an actor.

Charlie Hardwick, who played Valerie Pollard in Emmerdale, was among family and friends in the public gallery for the third day of his trial.

Mr Potts alleges the actor bit his thumb, hand and eyebrow and pushed Mrs O'Neill to the ground after getting out of the taxi in Oldham Road.

Jordon, of Tamewater Court, Dobcross, Oldham, denies affray, unlawfully wounding Mr Potts and assault by beating of Mrs O'Neill.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, when Jordon's defence case is expected to start.