Lily Allen wins libel damages

Lily Allen accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages today (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Lily Allen accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages today over a claim that she made offensive remarks about the Beckhams and Ashley and Cheryl Cole.

The 24-year-old singer was not at London's High Court for the settlement of her action over a May 2009 article in The Sun, headed "Ranting Lily".

Her solicitor, Mark Thomson, told Mr Justice Eady that it suggested she had made various offensive remarks about David and Victoria Beckham and the Coles in an interview which she supposedly gave to So Foot, a French football magazine.

He said News Group Newspapers now accepted that Allen was never interviewed by or on behalf of So Foot and she did not make the statements attributed to her.

It had agreed to withdraw the allegations, apologise, and pay her damages and legal costs.

The newspaper's solicitor, Mike Patrick, offered its sincere apologies for the upset and embarrassment caused.