Jaleel White’s career has been resuscitated with his participation in Dancing with the Stars but all that may end. White’s ex-girlfriend Bridget Hardy claims that he physically assaulted her in 2010. The dancing frontrunner claims that he never hit Hardy “across the chest” or “pushed ‘her’ into the toilet.”

Best known for his role as Steve Urkel, the celebrity dancer says that he is devastated: “When you’re doing well in life, it’s par for the course certain individuals will try and knock you down. When the individual is also the mother of your only child it is particularly hurtful.”

Hardy and White are currently in the midst of a child custody suit over their two-year-old daughter.

White posted on his Twitter account that he is fox-trotting for his daughter:

Here are some Twitter reactions to the allegations:

Jaleel White is often the last person one would think of as abusive. His character was always sweet, gentle, and soft-spoken — and his alter ego, Stefan Urquelle, was absolutely charming. He often took more flack from the ladies and practically groveled at their feet.

Could White have the need in his personal life to reverse the powerplay that he experienced throughout his dweeb role?