Star wins payout over claims he may have harassed ex-girlfriend

Actor Steve McFadden – best known for playing Phil Mitchell in the BBC soap opera East- Enders – yesterday accepted undisclosed libel damages in the High Court after a tabloid newspaper suggested that he may have been guilty of harassing a former girlfriend.

Lawyers told a judge that McFadden sued after the News of the World reported his arrest in relation to “alleged harassment to cause violence” in a November 2010 article headed: “Nicked! Exclusive: Cops Arrest Enders Star.”

They said McFadden was not charged with any offence and told Mr Justice Tugendhat that News of the World publisher News Group Newspapers had apologised and agreed to pay the actor damages and legal costs.

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McFadden, 52, was at the hearing in London and afterwards told reporters: “I’m glad it’s all over.”

David Price QC, for McFadden, said the article in the News of the World, which closed in July 2011, referred to an alleged incident at McFadden’s home in May 2010. The article – which was trailed on the front page and “occupied the whole of Page 7” – reported McFadden’s arrest “in relation to alleged harassment to cause violence towards his former girlfriend”, said Mr Price.

He said the article also reported allegations that “unidentified ‘police friends’ of Mr McFadden” may have sought to “impede an earlier investigation”.

Police later announced that no charges would be brought.

“This was reported in a short article in the News of the World on Page 16 on 26 December 2010,” Mr Price told the judge.

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