Reynolds hit ex-girlfriend with lawsuit

Veteran actor Burt Reynolds is suing his former girlfriend, alleging she threatened to falsely accuse him of abuse if he didn't pay her millions of dollars.

The lawsuit claims Pamela Seals lied when she said Reynolds yelled at her and stomped on her toes.

Seals, who was with Reynolds for 10 years, told the actor she would publicise her allegations if he didn't agree to a hefty settlement that included support for Seals and her mother, half of Reynolds' Jupiter, Florida, home and other compensation, according to the suit.

Reynolds' lawyer, Bob Montgomery, has called Seals' alleged threats blackmail, saying the actor offered to settle the matter for $1m (€1.4m) but Seals refused. He adds that because Reynolds and Seals were never married, she is entitled to nothing under Florida law.

Montgomery says: "She wanted more and more and her demands were absolutely exorbitant."

The lawsuit asks for unspecified damages and for a court to stop Seals from suing Reynolds in California, where the couple lived temporarily.

In a statement, Reynolds, 68, calls the situation "unfortunate" and says he won't be "intimidated by false accusations".