Articles/Interviews

HARD-DRINKING film star Oliver Reed picked up heavy libel damages from The Sun newspaper yesterday - and vowed to celebrate with a booze-up.

"I'm going to go and have a party in Dublin," said a jubilant Ollie as he and his wife Josephine left the High Court arm in arm.

Inside, Sun lawyers had agreed to pay the star a substantial five-figure sum in damages and his legal costs. These were estimated at �200,000, but the Sun later claimed they were less than �50,000.

Full apologies were also offered on behalf of Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie and his News Group bosses.

The climbdown ended a two-year battle over a front-page story headlined "Oliver Reed beats Wife."

It alleged that 52-year-old Ollie assaulted Josephine, 25, and treated her "like a skivvy."

But the truth is that their marriage is "outstandingly successful and blissfully happy," said Ollie's counsel.

"Far from maltreating her he is devoted to her, and these offensive allegations caused them great distress." After the hearing Ollie said: "The money's not important - it was the full apology that matters."

He added: "I'm very sad that Josephine's gran and my mother and my uncle, who all have died over the last few months, are not here for this result." "When I get up there I shall whisper in their ears - or perhaps an angel will."