Choice FM DJ Ian Thompson, aka Masterstepz, has accepted substantial libel damages over those previously reported claims that stories in the Sun and News Of The World newspapers implied, wrongly, that he had been involved in a "gay romp" with two Premiership football players. The paper has also formally apologised.
The high profile stories in the tabloid didn't name Thompson, referring instead to a "well known DJ", but Masterstepz lawyer's claim the paper allowed their readers to assume their client had been involved through "insinuation and innuendo". As such, they say, Thompson was subjected to "intense harassment", including a stream of phone calls, e-mails and text messages - many "very offensive".
A similar settlement has also been reached with footballer Ashley Cole, who was similarly linked to the story through implication. A statement from the two tabloids has been issued admitting that some readers may have "understood" that its gay romp story referred by implication to Thompson and Cole but that: "We are happy to make clear that Mr Cole and Masterstepz were not involved in any such activities. We apologise to them for any distress caused and we will be paying them each a sum by way of damages."