Avalon Settles with ‘Libellous’ Mail???

With all the uproar over the BBC broadcast this past weekend (See News, 5 Jan 2005), another little matter concerning Jerry Springer - The Opera has been quietly swept under the carpet. So what of producer Avalon's libel action against the Daily Mail? Nearly a year ago, columnist Richard Kay wrote that the multi award-winning musical was losing £40,000 a week and would soon shut. Although Kay later printed an apology, Avalon pressed ahead in seeking damages of around £440,000. This past October (See News, 29 Oct 2005), Avalon’s Jon Thoday said that the costs of the lawsuit had prevented them from properly promoting the show and that closure might be imminent. He vowed to fight on until the High Court passed its decision, which was due last month. However, it seems that, at the last minute, the parties settled out of court. As such, the show remains in peril, despite renewed public and media interest following Saturday’s television programme. Avalon has so far declined to comment on the settlement.

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