The Daily Express has had to print a prominent apology to Robbie Williams for a report in February that claimed he was addicted to gambling. The tabloid alleged that Robbie had lost large sums of cash after becoming addicted to gambling at cards. But yesterday they wrote: "We are happy to put the record straight and make clear that Robbie is not addicted to gambling in any form and has not lost substantial amounts of money as claimed. He only gambles for small stakes and his losses amount to no more than £2,000 over the last 18 months. We apologise for any distress our article has caused Robbie." The paper will also pay
Robbie's legal fees and make a donation to a charity of Williams' choice.
When they wrote the article the Express was actually reporting on an 'exclusive' in the News of the World, which was based on an interview with a 'fantasist' who had never met the singer. The Sunday tabloid is still working out a settlement with the star. The Daily Mail, who also reported on the story in its diary column, printed an apology earlier this month.