Matt Lucas accepts damages over articles

Matt Lucas has accepted substantial undisclosed damages for invasion of privacy over articles published in the wake of his ex-husband's death.

The Little Britain star was suing Express Newspapers over stories following the suicide of Kevin McGee in October 2009.

The High Court heard that the Daily Star had published articles alleging that Lucas had been placed on suicide watch and that the paper had not respected his request for privacy.

His solicitor, John Kelly, said: "Such claims are wholly without foundation, and publishing these false claims at this time considerably aggravated the hurt and distress caused by the article."

He added that the newspaper also published an article speculating that the the couple's divorce was caused by McGee's use of cocaine.

Express Newspapers apologised for invading Lucas's privacy and for any distress caused by the articles.