Victory over 'spiteful' article

John Cleese has won £13,500 damages over a newspaper report that claimed his career had faltered following his move to the US.

A High Court judge awarded him the fee about an article that appeared in London's Evening Standard.

Cleese's barrister, Jonathan Caplan, told the court the article "struck at the core of his lifetime achievement".

And the 63-year-old comic, who described the article as "spiteful and vitriolic", said he was very happy with the amount.

The sum is just £3,500 more than the £10,000 the newspaper had previously offered. Cleese rejected that settlement because he felt a published apology was not sincere or prominent enough.

After the ruling by Mr Justice Eady, Cleese's solicitor Martin Cruddace said: "It is a complete vindication of Mr Cleese. The judge held that it was in effect a disgraceful piece of journalism. Mr Cleese is very happy with the result."

The article appeared after the sitcom Wednesday 9.30 (8.30 Central) was axed after just two episodes. But Cleese had only a minor role, and successfully argued that its failure had not affected his career.

Published: 6 Feb 2003