Police hunt TV star Ferne McCann's boyfriend over acid attack

The boyfriend of The Only Way Is Essex star Ferne McCann is being hunted by police in connection with a nightclub acid attack that injured 20 people.

Police have released CCTV images of Arthur Collins on the night of the attack in Mangle E8 nightclub in Dalston, east London.

Police have urged members of the public not to approach Collins and raided a home in Hertfordshire.

"A 54-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis," Hertfordshire Police said. "Officers seized several plants and illegal firearms at the address."

Two male clubbers, aged 24 and 29, are in a serious but stable condition in a specialist burns hospital in Essex.

Police believe the "noxious substance" was sprayed directly into the faces of the two men after an argument broke out in the early hours of Monday.

Police are yet to confirm exactly what the substance is, but London Fire Brigade spokeswoman said: "It was identified by a PH paper test as a strong acidic substance."

Collins, a 25-year-old scaffolder, had recently appeared on the front cover of OK! Magazine alongside McCann.

The pair, who have been dating for nine months, told the magazine they were planning on moving in together and had even spoken about getting married.

McCann said: "We want to get married on a beach. I want it to be a party and a celebration."

When asked about the police search for Collins, a spokesperson for McCann told Sky News: "Ferne is aware that the police wish to speak to Arthur Collins and the nature of the accusations against him.

"Obviously these are highly shocking and Ferne has co-operated with the police in their inquiries.

"She was not with Arthur on Sunday night; was not at Mangle; and has no direct knowledge of the events that unfolded.

"As much as anybody she wants to know the truth and urges Arthur to co-operate fully with the police and attend a police station immediately."

Celebrity Big Brother star and ex-Premier League footballer Jamie O'Hara has condemned the "sick" attack which injured his cousin Sadie Wright.

The Only Way Is Essex stars Jamie Reed, Jade Lewis and Chloe Meadows were also among those forced to leave the bank holiday LoveJuice event.

About 600 people had been at the late-night event and about 400 were still in the building - between Sidworth Street and Warburton Road - at the time of the attack.

Two other men are also wanted for questioning in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101; via Twitter @MetCC or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.