A U.K. tabloid The News of the World has apologized to the singer Justin Timberlake for printing a false story, which claimed he cheated on girlfriend Cameron Diaz. The British paper also agreed to pay substantial damages.

News of the World was also ordered to apologize in court and to run a prominent retraction of the story.

The story was headlined “Trousersnake Did Dirty on Diaz,� and included a detailed account of model Lucy Clarkson’s alleged fling with Timberlake. Lucy had claimed she and Justin went on several dates before spending a steamy night together in a London hotel.

“I was impressed,� Clarkson had recalled to the tabloid in its July issue. Adding: “He’s bigger than average and I was overwhelmed. But I didn’t really like kissing him, because his lips were too small.�

However, Timberlake denied having ever met Clarkson.
The singer demanded an apology from the tabloid and, when his request was denied, he went forward with legal action in London’s High Court.

Clarkson subsequently admitted that her story was an “entire fabrication on her part,� her lawyer, David Griffiths said in court. The model was ordered to issue an apology to Timberlake and to return the money she was paid for the story.

A lawyer for the tabloid’s publisher apologized Wednesday. Timberlake’s lawyer, Simon Smith said the singer has planned to donate the damages money to charity.