REPORTS that one of television's most famous detectives has ditched the sandy beaches of Hawaii for the hills and heather of the North-East have been denied by the star's agent.

As moustached private detective Magnum PI, Hollywood star Tom Selleck was best known in the 1980s for chasing criminals and women.

A report in yesterday's Daily Telegraph suggested he had swapped the garish Hawaiian shirts and sports car in favour of shooting tweeds and a four-wheel drive during a three-day shooting trip to the Earl of Strathmore's estate, in Upper Teesdale, County Durham.

However, Selleck's agent, Betty McCartt, denied he had been anywhere near the North-East. She said: "He's in Los Angeles at the moment. He's not been on a shooting holiday at all.

"He had been to the Monaco Film Festival and then called in at London to see his in-laws, but he hasn't been shooting at all."

It was reported Selleck and guests flew to the region in a private jet and spent £34,000 a day on the shooting trip.

The report said that, despite the extravagance of the trip, Selleck stayed at a local pub - a statement that left a number of Teesdale landlords mystified.

One hotelier said: "We've had a few inquiries about this. There's been a bit of speculation about whether he's actually been up here. None of the hotels around here have heard anything."