The 87-year-old actress began dating Spanish businessman Javier Rigau y Rafols in the 1980s and they planned to wed in 2006, but she called off the nuptials after changing her mind.

However, in an explosive court case in Rome, Italy, she has now accused her former partner of tricking her into signing documents which enabled him to marry her by proxy at a civil ceremony in Spain.

The actress alleges she had no idea the 2010 ceremony had taken place and had been represented at the nuptials by a 72-year-old Spanish woman.

On Tuesday (19May15), Rigau y Rafols was charged with fraud and forgery, which he denies. The case has been adjourned until September (15), when the actress is likely to attend.

The star's lawyer, Fabrizio Siggia, says, "She's angry and combative and she wants justice. She will definitely be asking for damages, though we have not decided on the amount yet. He tricked her into signing a power of attorney document which he claims was to do with a legal quarrel she was having with a Spanish lawyer. But instead it related to getting married. He claims that Miss Lollobrigida gave her permission for a woman to stand in for her, but that is not true... She will explain everything that happened. If all goes well I think the trial could be over by the end of the year."

Last year (14), Lollobrigida won a court battle against her only son after he tried to have her $51 million (£30 million) estate managed by a court-appointed administrator after claiming the actress is incapable of looking after the funds herself.