Jim Carrey, the Hollywood actor, has hit out at the 'heartless attempt' to exploit his celebrity status after being sued for wrongful death by the estranged husband of his late girlfriend.

Cathriona White, 30, an Irish-born make-up artist, died in Los Angeles in September last year.

A coroner ruled she took her own life having consumed several prescription drugs.

Mark Burton, who was still married to Miss White at the time, filed a case in Los Angeles.

His complaint alleges that Carrey used his "immense wealth and celebrity status" to illegally obtain the prescription drugs using the false name Arthur King.