'Little Britain' stars accept libel damages

Comedians David Walliams and Matt Lucas accepted libel damages and a public apology today over a claim that they had caused uproar among gay protest groups.

The stars of 'Little Britain' were not at London’s High Court for the settlement of their action against Express Newspapers over a story which appeared in Daily Star Sunday in September.

Their advocate, Rod Christie-Miller, told Mr Justice Eady that it concerned the series 'Little Britain USA' which was due to make its debut in America.

Headed “Gay and fatty jokes put Yanks on the warpath”, it suggested that the pair had caused uproar among “pink protest groups”, which had condemned the show.

Alleged spokesmen for two groups were said to have described it as “grossly insulting” and it was claimed that they were demanding that the network pull the plug on the series.

Mr Christie-Miller said the article clearly suggested that the show went beyond the scope of acceptable public viewing and that gay and lesbian groups were calling for a boycott.

He added that while it was fair to say that it was edgy and risque comedy, there was no such protest and the gay groups mentioned did not appear to exist.

The allegations had caused considerable distress to Mr Walliams and Mr Lucas (himself a openly gay man) as well as significant damage to their reputations.

They were particularly hurtful as the duo considered that they misrepresented their relationship with an important fan base – the gay community.

Ian Helme, counsel for Express Newspapers, offered its sincere apologies for publishing the false allegations.

Mr Christie-Miller said that the newspaper had offered to pay compensation, the amount of which had yet to be agreed, and the claimants’ legal costs.