Hip-hop star MC Hammer’s cousin and TV co-star Bigg Marav has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman he met on social networking website Twitter.

The 33 year old, who appears alongside Hammer in several episodes of his reality show Hammertime, which runs on U.S. network A&E, was taken into custody on Thursday following accusations he sexually assaulted a 40 year old female.

According to Livermore, California police officer Matt Sarsfield, the pair struck up a flirty relationship via Twitter.com and exchanged a string of emails and phone calls.

Police say the woman claims Bigg Marv - real name Marvin Grant - attacked her after she declined his advances.

But the allegations have not stopped Grant's famous relative standing by him - Hammer has taken to his own Twitter.com blog to thank fans for supporting his cousin through the scandal.

He writes, "We're standing by him. (Marv) Welcome to Fame Cousin Marv. We're praying for you.

"Thanks for your Prayers for Bigg Marv. He's a good guy, he has not been exposed to the "World of Fame" where you become "The Prey"."