Mariah company denies pay-off reports

Virgin Records have denied paying off Mariah Carey's contract.

Parent company EMI says no payment has been made to the star.

Press reports suggested Carey had been given a £35m "golden handshake" in return for agreeing to quit Virgin.

In a statement EMI said: "In light of recent press comment that EMI has paid or agreed to pay Mariah Carey a lump sum to release her from her recording contract, EMI wishes to make clear that it has made no such payment or agreement."