Lawyers acting for X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole have written to Heat magazine threatening legal action over its cover story this week.
Cole is seeking an apology for the article, headlined “Cheryl’s Fury” which appeared on the front page and two inside pages of the Bauer Media-owned celebrity gossip magazine.
In a letter seen by Press Gazette, Cole’s solicitor, David Price, claimed Heat took no steps to verify the article with Cole’s spokesman.
‘It has to be inferred that your dominant motivation was to publish a sensational front page story in order to sell the magazine without any concern about whether it was true,’the letter stated.
Cole is seeking ‘substantial’damages against Bauer Media if the magazine does not publish an apology and retraction and pay her full legal costs.
Price declined to comment, but confirmed that the letter had been sent to Heat editor Julian Linley.
A Bauer Media spokeswoman was unavailable for comment.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog