CHRISTIAN BALE lost his temper with his mother when she insulted his wife, according to UK reports.

The actor, who denies the assault, is said to have "flown in to a rage" after his mother Jenny, 61, made "outrageous comments" about his wife SIBI.

Sources say the star, who was released on police bail today, has also grown increasingly depressed following the death of friend and co-star HEATH LEDGER, which has made his state of mind all the more fragile.

The source said: ‘Christian was stressed, but he didn't lay a finger on anyone. Instead, he flew off the handle and cussed his mother. He just got very loud because his mother was saying some very outrageous things about him and his wife.'

‘Christian's attitude is that this was his mother's fault because she became very provocative in an argument they were having,' the source said, adding: ‘Things got out of control and he now says he wishes he just left the room.

‘Normally Christian would just call a friend and go out to a pub to cool off. But he was literally trapped into this confrontation with his mother and sister because there was an army of fans and paparazzi outside.'

The incident apparently comes at a time when his marriage to Sandra 'Sibi' Blazic, a former model and make-up artist, is enduring difficulties.

'He has stresses in his marriage,' the source said. 'He can have a terrible temper. Instead of lashing out at his wife, he sometimes lashes out at people around him.'

The source added: ‘His marriage is not perfect, but his relationship with his mother is in much more trouble." 

Yesterday the star's mother and sister tried to play down the incident, calling it a "family situation".

The Batman star, 34, was arrested on Tuesday over allegations he attacked his mother Jenny, 61, and sister Sharon, 40, at London's Dorchester Hotel on Sunday night - as he prepared for new movie The Dark Knight's London premiere on Monday.

After he was released on bail, the actor issued a statement denying the assault, prompting Jenny and Sharon to speak out, confirming to Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper that an "incident" did take place.

Sharon says, "There was an incident but the police are dealing with it. It is an extremely sensitive situation. There is nothing more I can say."

Jenny, a former circus performer, adds, "Yes I was there and yes there was a family situation but the police are handling it and I cannot say any more at the moment. We didn't call the police to the scene."

Sources tell the newspaper the incident was over a long-running family dispute.

Bale, who left his mother's home in Wales as a teenager to live with his environmental activist dad in Los Angeles, is due to return to London to face possible charges in September.

In a statement issued after he left London's Belgravia police station on Tuesday, Bale's spokesperson said, "Christian Bale attended a London police station today, on a voluntary basis, in order to assist with an allegation that had been made against him to the police by his mother and sister.

"Mr. Bale, who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout, and left the station without any charge being made against him by police."