Paper accepts grief article was untrue

Matt Lucas has won substantial undisclosed damages over a ‘grossly intrusive’ Daily Mail article about his ex-partner's death.

The Little Britain star sued for invasion of privacy over an inaccurate article headlined ‘How Matt Lucas learnt to laugh again’ published in March this year.

His lawyers said the piece constituted an unlawful intrusion into his grief and suffering and caused him considerable anguish when it appeared, without warning, five months after the suicide of his former civil partner Kevin McGee.

They complained about untrue allegations, including the claims that Lucas had ignored McGee's calls and had become a virtual. Today he won an apology in the Mail, accepting the article was untrue, as well as the damages.

Lucas said in a statement: ‘This has been and continues to be a very difficult time for me and all those who loved Kevin.

‘My deep pain and sorrow have been made even greater by the intrusive and defamatory stories made about my private life in the Daily Mail. I had no choice but to bring these proceedings to protect my private life and my right to grieve in peace.

‘I take no pleasure or sense of triumph in this settlement. I am just relieved that this case has been resolved and I sincerely hope this sort of intrusive reporting will now end.’

On Twitter, Lucas said that despite the payout he was still out of pocket on his legal expenses.

Published: 16 Dec 2010