Pavarotti's family deny rift

Late opera legend Luciano Pavarotti's daughters have denied a rift over the star's $500m estate.

Lorenza, Cristina and Giuliana Pavarotti are angry with Italian and British reports which suggest they are feuding with the tenor's second wife, Nicoletta Mantovani, over his "hidden wealth."

Cristina says: "The death of papa for us has been, like for all those who lose a parent, a lacerating tear.

"We know that in Italy, as elsewhere, false news and idle inferences that involve us are coming out. This is causing us bitterness."

Pavarotti lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 71 on Thursday.