Casino boss tells Rod Stewart: 'We want our money back'

A Las Vegas casino boss is demanding Rod Stewart return the $2 million (€1.6m) he was paid for a December 2000 concert he never performed.

A Las Vegas casino boss is demanding Rod Stweart return the $2 million (€1.6m) he was paid for a December 2000 concert he never performed.

Harrah's Entertainment head Gary Loveman took the stand in the ongoing court battle between his Nevada casino and rocker Stewart on Monday, insisting he'll happily walk away from the trial when he gets his money back.

Loveman told the Las Vegas court: "Ultimately, we're just here to get our money back. We don't wish Mr Stewart any ill will. He was paid a lot of money to do something he did not do. It's merely a contractual matter."

Stewart, 60, could testify today, according to his lawyer.

Last week, outside the courthouse, Stewart told reporters he was defending his honour in the breach of contract suit filed in 2001 by the Rio hotel-casino in Las Vegas, a Harrah's property.

The company is seeking the return of an advance paid to the rocker for the show, plus interest and attorneys' fees.

Stewart maintains the show was cancelled because he underwent thyroid cancer surgery in May 2000.

Loveman claims the contract Stewart signed was "quite clear", stating "in plain English" that "in the event Mr Stewart didn't perform, he would simply return the money".