Leona Lewis, the British singer who won the British TV talent show "The X Factor" and has topped charts around the world since, was signing copies of her book "Dreams" at a Waterstone’s book store in Piccadilly Circus when she was assaulted.
"We can confirm that there was an incident at the Leona Lewis signing this afternoon," a Waterstone’s spokesman said. "The event was immediately stopped by the security guards present and the police are talking to the individual concerned."
A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the attack. The man is now being questioned at a central London police station.
"My brother saw the whole incident," one fan at the book store told the BBC. "He (the attacker) walked up there with the book, she signed it and, as she looked up, he just punched her."
Lewis, the first British woman to have her debut album top U.S. charts in 2008, was badly upset by the incident but did not need hospital treatment, her spokesman said.
The singer issued a statement through her team on Facebook:
“Leona was the victim of an unprovoked attack this afternoon at her book signing. The police were called immediately and medical attention has been sought. Leona is understandably shaken and apologizes to the fans she was unable to meet and complete signings.”