Richard Gere has insisted he was just "joking" with a woman he has been accused of flirting with.

The 63-year-old actor - who is married to model Carey Lowell - was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Hamptons International Film Festival on Saturday. He celebrated with a group afterwards, opting for a meal at a diner called Nick & Toni.

It's been claimed a blonde woman caught Richard's eye, leading to her husband warning the star off in no uncertain terms.

The actor has insisted the incident has been blown out of proportion.

"Reality is, he was at a table with his agents and their wives. On his way out, he stopped to say hi to the people at that table, and joked with the people briefly before leaving," his representative told New York Post.

The publication claims there is more to the story. It's alleged Richard refused to stop chatting to the unknown lady, leading to much embarrassment.

"He kept staring at this woman. Her husband seemed agitated by it," a source claimed.

"He approached the other table. He didn't acknowledge anyone around her. He was leaning in and trying to talk to her, leaning into her ear."

The woman was apparently confused about what was happening, leading to her spouse eventually stepping in.

Richard then apparently left, with the woman's husband also stepping outside to check he was going.