Elton John accepts damages

Elton John accepted 100,000 pounds ($188,000) in libel damages Wednesday over allegations that he asked guests not to approach him at a charity ball.

Associated Newspapers Ltd., which publishes The Daily Mail, paid the damages, according to John's attorney, Hanna Basha. The Sunday Times, which reprinted the Mail article, agreed on a confidential settlement earlier this year, Basha said.

The allegations surrounded John's behavior at his annual Tie and Tiara annual charity ball.

The Mail claimed in its June 24 article that the singer had issued a "bizarre" edict for guests not to approach him at the ball.

newsday