Date: 23rd April 2001

Costner's Fury At Marriage Reports


Movie star KEVIN COSTNER is angrily denying reports that he and girlfriend CHRISTINE BAUMGARTEN have secretly wed - and he's furious at how much the news has upset his children.

The DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) actor reportedly wed his 26-year-old lover impulsively during a recent holiday in Italy - with his 13-year-old son JOE acting as best man.

Costner, who insists the reports are completely untrue, adds the whole experience has been very painful for Baumgartner and his teenage children ANNIE, LILY and Joe. He says, "It forces you to have to say out loud, maybe in front of your sweetheart that `No, we're not getting married.' That weighs on somebody if they have to hear it. "Christine understands clearly that that's not the case right now but for her to actually have to hear me say it out loud isn't easy.

Costner adds that what distressed him most was the effect the news had on his children, who were on holiday at the time and couldn't be reached for reassurance. He says, "It kind of alarmed my children because they were away on vacation and, for as much as they know how the press works, they were alarmed for a second. It got to them." (LE/WN/PDD)

Source: WENN