Williams wins 'gay' libel damages

Williams was not present at the High Court

Singer Robbie Williams has accepted substantial libel damages over claims that he is secretly homosexual.

The People newspaper, Star and Hot Stars magazines in 2004 published stories alleging Mr Williams had engaged in casual homosexual sex.

The publications' owners, MGN Limited and Northern & Shell plc, now accepted the stories were untrue and had agreed undisclosed damages, the court heard.

Mr Williams was not present at the hearing in London's High Court.

His counsel, Tom Shields QC, told the court: "Mr Williams is not, and has never been, homosexual."

The August 2004 report in The People, owned by MGN, said Mr Williams was about to deceive the public with the publication of a book, Feel, that would say he only had sex with women.

Feel was an account of the performer's life told, with Mr Williams' co-operation, by Chris Heath, who had lived alongside his subject from 2002 to 2004.

Northern & Shell published in Star and Hot Stars magazines in September 2004 claims that Mr Williams kept secret homosexual encounters.

Zoe Norden, solicitor for MGN and Northern & Shell, said: "I accept that the allegations to which my friend has referred were untrue.

"The defendant apologises to the claimant and expresses its regret for the injury and distress caused."

The publishers had also agreed to print prominent apologies and pay Mr Williams' legal costs.