BBC News Online: Entertainment

Libel pay-out for Duran Duran

An article in The Sun in July 1998 alleged that the 1980s supergroup had paid members of the public £30 to pose as fans during the shooting of Hunting Venus - a movie about a 1980s rock band who reformed in the 1990s.

During a hearing at London's High Court, Simon Smith, solicitor for Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes and Warren Cuccurullo, told Mr Justice Gray that the article was "hugely embarrassing and extremely damaging" - particularly since his clients were planning a new album and a UK tour.

He added: "As is standard practice in the film industry, the assistant directors had recruited extras by holding auditions.

"At no time were Duran Duran asked to appear as a band and perform, nor did the film's directors recruit extras off the street."

Tim Ross, solicitor for The Sun, said the paper offered its "sincere apologies" to the band members for the "distress and embarrassment caused by this article".

He added: "They entirely accept that the allegations are without foundation and ought never to have been published."

The size of the Sun's pay-out to Le Bon, Rhodes and Cuccurullo was not disclosed.

However, Mr Smith said the defendants had agreed to pay each "substantial damages for libel and all of the legal costs they have had to incur in pursuing this matter".

The original five members of Duran Duran enjoyed huge international success in the 1980s with hits such as Girls On Film, Hungry Like the Wolf and The Reflex.

The late 1980s saw Roger Taylor leave the line-up. He was followed by Andy Taylor, who was replaced by Cuccurullo. John Taylor left in 1997.