BLUE - COSTA DENIES BECKHAM AFFAIR

BLUE star ANTONY COSTA has angrily denied he is having an affair with DAVID BECKHAM's sister JOANNE - claiming he is merely comforting her during a difficult time for her family.

The ALL RISE singer was reported to be having a relationship with the blonde, and it was claimed yesterday (26APR04) that the stories had caused a violent confrontation with Costa's ex-girlfriend LUCY BOLSTER.

However, Antony claims he is merely close friends with Joanne, and is supporting her as she copes with the blanket media coverage of her soccer superstar brother's affair with former assistant REBECCA LOOS, and the alleged crisis it has thrown his marriage with singer VICTORIA into.

The singer says, "All these reports about me and Joanne are rubbish and very upsetting.

"We hang out together and are best mates. I've seen lots of her lately because she's had a tough time.

"People have been bombarding her with questions about her brother and Victoria. And I've supported her all the way down the line because that's what friends are for."