Hallyday rape case dropped

French rock superstar Johnny Hallyday has had rape charges against him dropped after a Nice, France, judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to take the case to court.

The Be Bop A Lula hitmaker, real name Jean-Philippe Smet, has been under investigation since 2003 when a hostess on his yacht accused the 62-year-old singer of raping her after a drunken party in 2001.

But Marie-Christine Vo's claim has been dismissed by legal officials, who have found nothing to substantiate her serious allegation.

Judge Eric de Montgolfier said: "Nothing is in a state that can be proved.

"There is no evidence permitting us to send Mr Smet before a criminal court."

Hallyday has always protested his innocence.