Rod Stewart 'defends honour' in court

Rock veteran Rod Stewart appeared in a Las Vegas court on Tuesday to "defend his honour" in a legal battle with a casino firm over a cancelled concert.

The singer announced he was pulling out of the 30 December 2000 show at the Rio Hotel & Casino - owned by Harrah's Entertainment - in May 2000, following surgery for thyroid cancer.

Harrah's are seeking the return of Stewart's $2m (€1.62m) concert fee, plus interest and legal fees.

Harrah's lawyer Stephen Morris said in Las Vegas federal cour: "We don't hold his illness against him. We only wish to hold him to his contract, which says if he is ill or incapacitated and can't perform, he will return the $2m (€1.62m)."

Attorneys for the rocker claim Stewart is willing to reschedule the gigs and has offered a two-for-the-price-of-one deal.

His lawyer Louis 'Skip' Miller responded: "He is able and willing to do these concerts for them. (Following the surgery) it took him about 10 to 12 months to get his voice back."

Miller alleges a clause in their contract allowed Stewart to retain his prepaid fee and offer a rescheduled concert if there was a cancellation.

Morris claimed Harrah's had been open to hosting a Stewart concert again, but wanted the $2 million back first.