Price to pay damages to andre's manager

Reality TV star Katie Price has been ordered to pay "substantial" damages after falsely claiming her ex-husband, Aussie singer Peter Andre, was romancing his manager.

Price targeted the Mysterious Girl hitmaker in an interview with chat show host Graham Norton last year (09), insisting Andre was dating his manager/agent Claire Powell.

The allegation was not broadcast but was later reported in the tabloids.

Powell's solicitor Mike Brookes said the accusation was "very damaging and distressing" as well as being "completely untrue", and on Friday (19Mar10), a judge at London's High Court ordered Price, who was not present, to pay undisclosed damages for the remark.

Powell says, "I didn't really want to be in court but if something bad is said, which is going to trash your reputation, you have to clear your name."

Price, whose divorce from Andre was finalised in September (09), has since apologised for the comment.