A prankster handcuffed herself to Hugh Grant at the Dutch premiere of his new movie Music & Lyrics on Friday night.

The actor was left stunned when Cielke Sijben, a journalist working for Dutch TV network 101 TV, leaped forward as he walked the red carpet at the Amsterdam Pathe and clamped a metal handcuff on his wrist, attaching herself to him.

The confused star had to stand for 10 minutes while police detained Sijben and fire fighters were summoned to free him from his captor.

After the cuffs were cut off, the calm 46-year-old returned to his red-carpet duties, promoting the film - in which he stars alongside Drew Barrymore - while Sijben was arrested by police.

An onlooker says, "It was incredible. She appeared from nowhere and Grant couldn't believe it was happening. But he was the ultimate professional. He just stood in silence and waited for the fire fighters to free him.

"He did look relieved when he disappeared into the theatre - she could have been a maniac."