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March 30, 2009

Lily Allen: Paparazzi ban will change my life

By paulmcnally

Singer Lily Allen has said hiring Carter Ruck to obtain an injunction against the press was the best money she has ever spent.

In an interview with the Independent, the pop star said the intense attention from photographers had made her feel at times like “a caged animal”.

Allen’s lawyers used anti-stalker legislation to stop her being harassed by the paparazzi. The order says photographers must not pursue, follow or take pictures of her, place her under surveillance or approach within 100 metres of her home.

“I know already that it’s going to change my life,” Allen said of the ban. “I just thought: ‘I’ve had it with the press, I can’t do this any more.’ It was mental.”

She added: “Luckily the court understood where I was coming from and granted an order to stop the harassment. If they follow me I can serve them with a court order. I’m beyond happy.

“It’s like I’ve been allowed to have success and a life. Because sometimes it makes you feel like a caged animal, being followed by 20 men with cameras all day.

“The second I walk out the door, it’s like that. It cost me a fuck of a lot of money but it’s the best money I’ve ever spent. I’m very pleased and very grateful.”

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