Stéphane Blancafort suspended after alleged assault on co‑star

TF1 announced that actor Stéphane Blancafort was suspended following accusations that he tried to strangle his partner, actress Catherine Davydzenka, during a violent altercation on the set of the daytime series "Ici tout commence" on 17 July. The network said it had been informed of the incident and took immediate action.

Blancafort’s lawyers maintain he acted in legitimate self‑defence after being provoked, while Davydzenka, represented by her attorney, filed a police complaint, rejects any claim of self‑defence and describes the incident as a serious, repeated assault. The matter has been referred to the French judicial authorities for investigation.

The controversy has also sparked statements from other cast members. Actress Alexandra Favalli said she has lodged a complaint after receiving harassment, and actor Oscar Al Hafiane was reported as removed from the series.