Millionaire dancer Michael Flatley faces a legal action in Dublin from his former publicist Geraldine Roche in a dispute over fees. This follows a court action in London from his former business manager Martin Flitton.
Ms Roche worked for the dancer for five years before they severed ties last January, and she is understood to have exchanged legal correspondence with Mr Flatley in a dispute over €250,000 in fees.
Her late husband, Chris Roche, worked for six years with the dancer until his death in 2002.
Ms Roche is understood to be consulting legal advisers in advance of a likely action in the High Court in Dublin.
There was no comment on this dispute from a spokeswoman for Mr Flatley, who this week issued an acknowledgment of service to the High Court in respect of Mr Flitton's action. At issue in the Flitton case is a dispute over €600,000 in fees.
While Mr Flatley's spokeswoman declined to comment, he is understood to be preparing to contest that action in strong terms.
Mr Flitton worked for several years with Mr Flatley, and was a groomsman at his wedding last October to Niamh O'Brien.
His solicitor in London declined yesterday to comment on the case. He has hired legal firm Mishcon de Reya, the firm that acted for Princess Diana in her divorce from Charles.
In addition to his role as business manager, Mr Flitton has also acted as press spokesman for the dancer.
Mr Flatley has described Mr Flitton in the past as a "good friend" and credited him with the idea of staging his Feet of Flames production at Hyde Park in London in 1998. A video of that landmark show sold more than one million copies.
Born in Chicago in 1958, Mr Flatley worked in construction to support his interest in Irish dancing. It was not until 1994 that he shot to international fame when taking a prime role in the Riverdance interval performance at the Eurovision song contest in Dublin that year.
Seen by millions of spectators throughout the world, Mr Flatley's Lord of the Dance Irish-dancing production is one of the most successful live shows in entertainment history.
His website says the show has taken in more than $500 million (€371.71 million) in ticket sales since its premiere in Dublin in 1996, and that Mr Flatley's legs are insured for $40 million.
