Ex-boyfriend of talent show star denies sharing sex tape

The ex-boyfriend of singer and TV talent show judge Tulisa Contostavlos says she persuaded him to make a sex tape and denies posting it online, a London high court judge heard.

Justin Edwards thought the posting of such material “ungentlemanly” and said he had been “brought up better than that”, Mr Justice Tugendhat heard at a preliminary.

Mr Edwards said Ms Contostavlos had persuaded him that they should film themselves, the judge was told.

The 23-year-old Ms Contostavlos — who shot to fame as a member of hip-hop group N-Dubz and is a judge on the X Factor — took legal action against Mr Edwards following the emergence of the footage.

She alleges Mr Edwards committed a “vindictive act of betrayal” out of spite and greed. The judge said that an order banning publication of footage showing Ms Contostavlos “engaged in a sexual act” should continue.

Mr Edwards, a rap artist who performs under the name MC Ultra, was at yesterday’s hearing. Ms Contostavlos did not attend.

The judge was told Ms Contostavlos and Mr Edwards had been in an “on and off relationship” which ended in late 2009.

Desmond Browne QC, for Ms Contostavlos, gave detail of Mr Edwards’ denials to the judge and said there was “clearly a substantial issue to be resolved”.

Mr Edwards outlined his defence in a written witness statement, said Mr Browne. Quoting from the statement, Mr Browne read: “I regret ever allowing the claimant [Ms Contostavlos] to persuade me that we should film ourselves.” He said distribution of the footage was “ungentlemanly” and he “was brought up better than that”. Mr Browne said Mr Edwards “seems to be implying filming took place on [Ms Contostavlos’s] phone”.

He said Ms Contostavlos thought that Mr Edwards had shared footage and tried to sell it to newspapers.

“She has been the victim of a vindictive act of betrayal by Mr Edwards,” Mr Browne told the judge. “Seemingly motivated by a toxic combination of personal spite and financial greed.”

No date has been fixed for a trial.

The legal fight has developed as Ms Contostavlos’s first solo single is released. She announced the song’s “first play” on her Twitter account on Mar 22.