Pop singer Robbie Williams has accepted substantial libel damages today over media claims that he is secretly homosexual.
Williams was not present at London's High Court for the settlement of his action taken against MGN Limited and Northern & Shell plc.
The singer took legal action after The People newspaper, Star and Hot Stars magazines published articles which claimed that the singer engaged in casual homosexual sex.
His counsel, Tom Shields QC said in court: "Mr Williams is not, and has never been, homosexual."
In August 2004, The People newspaper (owned by MGN) published a report which claimed that Williams was deceiving the public in his contribution to biography 'Feel', which said that the singer only had sex with women.
The biography was an account of Williams' life, written with his co-operation by Chris Heath, who lived alongside the singer between 2002 and 2004.
In September 2004 Star and Hot Stars magazines (owned by Northern & Shell) also printed claims that Williams had secret homosexual encounters.
The court was told that the publications' owners now accepted the stories which were printed were untrue and had agreed undisclosed damages.
Zoe Norden, solicitor for MGN and Northern & Shell, said: "The defendant apologises to the claimant and expresses its regret for the injury and distress caused."
