Allen turns down free booze in Dubai

Lily Allen turned down an offer of free drinks at the Atlantis Hotel launch party in Dubai to avoid media criticism.

The popstar said she was trying to avoid getting drunk at public events following her spat with Elton John at the GQ Man Of The Year Awards.

"No drinking for me," she told GMTV. "I suppose, maybe, the whole Elton thing with the GQ Awards... I got a bit attacked for that whole thing and it wasn't really necessary.

"So I thought, you know what, I'm fed up and I'm not going to give people ammunition anymore to make me feel silly, so I've stopped basically."

Sir Elton mocked Allen's alcohol intake at the GQ bash, which prompted Allen to reply: "F*** off, Elton. I am 40 years younger than you and have my whole life ahead of me!"

The veteran musician responded by telling Allen that he could still "snort [her] under the table".