Beckham wins 'rude' libel claim

Victoria Beckham has won substantial undisclosed libel damages over a claim that a US TV crew found her "picky, demanding and rude".

A story in Star magazine alleged that the crew for her upcoming reality show "couldn't stand her", and that she "waltzes around with her icy attitude", amongst other claims.

Beckham's solicitor, Gerrard Tyrrell, told Mr Justice Eady that the allegations in the story, published in April, were "untrue and unfounded".

He said that the magazine did not contact Ms Beckham or her representative before publication. When the article was published, filming had not yet started on the new show so no one from the crew could have commented on her alleged behaviour.

"The story was therefore completely inaccurate and defamatory of Ms Beckham," Mr Tyrrell said.

He said that publisher Northern and Shell plc now accepted that the allegations were false and should never have been published. It apologised, retracted them and had agreed to pay her a substantial sum in damages and her legal costs.

Kate Wilson, the magazine's counsel, apologised for the distress and embarrassment caused.

The former Spice Girl was not at London's High Court for the settlement of her action over the article.

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