Actress Kate Beckinsale accepted £20,000 (€23,000) libel damages today over a newspaper claim that she was going to miss out on her dream role as “sexy heroine Barbarella”.

Michael Owen today accepted a public apology and substantial undisclosed damages regarding “incredulous allegations” his football career was over.

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.