Campbell denies taking overdose

David Lister joined the cognoscenti in Venice for some serious fun

Naomi Campbell, the model, was released from hospital in the Canary Islands yesterday after receiving treatment for what was originally thought to be a drug overdose but was later said to be an allergic reaction to antibiotics.

Officials at the hospital in Gran Canaria initially confirmed reports by local media that Ms Campbell, 27, had taken an overdose of barbiturates in her hotel room.

She was said to have had an argument on Saturday evening with her boyfriend, Joaquin Cortes. Jonathan Goldstein, a spokesman for her London solicitors, later said she had suffered "an allergic reaction to antibiotics". He said Ms Campbell was "perfectly well" and added: "She wishes to make it clear there is absolutely no foundation whatsoever to the story that she had taken an overdose."

Officials at the hospital said the model was treated in the intensive care unit and released shortly after 10pm.

Ms Campbell arrived in Gran Canaria on Friday with Mr Cortes, a flamenco dancer. The couple were staying at the five-star Santa Catalina hotel, although in separate rooms, and were seen walking around Las Palmas on Saturday.

Staff at the seafront hotel, a favourite haunt of the rich and famous, say they heard a heated row between them that evening. In the early hours of yesterday, Ms Campbell, who is famous for her fiery temperament, was taken by ambulance to hospital in Las Palmas.

It is understood that Ms Campbell, who was holidaying on the island to rest before a modelling assignment in Paris, was planning to leave last night on a private plane.

Mr Cortes, 28, who is in Gran Canaria for a tour of his dance show, Gypsy Passion, spent several hours at her bedside yesterday before leaving to perform at a local theatre. Their relationship has apparently been under strain recently. Spanish gossip magazines claim Mr Cortes broke it off a few weeks ago, and he was pictured with another woman on holiday in the southern resort of Marbella. It was reported that Ms Campbell then followed him to Madrid and threatened to kill herself unless the liaison resumed.

The couple met last November at a photoshoot for Elle magazine. Mr Cortes, who was recently voted "the most exciting man in Spain" by Spanish housewives, has said in one interview that he wants to marry Ms Campbell and have 10 children.

The supermodel's previous boyfriends include the heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, and the actors Sylvester Stallone and Robert de Niro.