BBC News Online: Entertainment: Showbiz

Actress Ashley Judd wins damages

The magazine - part of the IPC media group - admitted it published an article by Gill Pringle based on an interview that never took place.

Ms Judd - whose latest film Someone Like You made $10m (£6.9) when it opened in the US last weekend - was "outraged" by the article.

"The reality is that Ms Pringle had no such interview and indeed has never met Ms Judd," solicitor Michael Skrein told Mr Justice Laddie.

"In addition a number of the statements in the article were false," he added.

In September 1999 Pringle wrote an article which claimed to be based on an interview with the star of Double Jeopardy, Eye of the Beholder, Kiss the Girls and Ruby in Paradise.

Judd had sued the magazine, alleging malicious falsehood and false attribution.

Mr Skrein said that the falsehoods in the article, if believed, could have armed Judd's reputation and career.

Judd is currently signed to play Catwoman in a film being developed by the producers of the Batman films.

The case was settled when Now agreed to publish an apology to Judd and pay damages and costs.