Nicolas Cage has accepted a public apology from fellow star Kathleen Turner and two newspaper groups over her claims that he was arrested twice for drunk driving and stole a dog.

They will also pay a substantial donation to charity following the allegations in her book.

Neither Hollywood actor was at London's High Court for the hearing, where Cage's solicitor Simon Smith told the judge that Turner's claims were utterly false.

He said an extract of the book "Send Yourself Roses," which appeared in the Daily Mail in January, described their experience of working together on the movie "Peggy Sue Got Married" in 1986.

Turner, 53, stated that her 44-year-old co-star was "arrested twice for drunk-driving and, I think, for stealing a dog. He'd come across a Chihuahua he liked and stuck it in his jacket."

Smith said that Turner, Associated Newspapers and Headline Publishing Group now accepted that the allegations were defamatory and false and ought never to have been published.

He said it was put down to a mistake on Turner's part and the other defendants had published in good faith.

They personally apologized for the damage caused to Cage's personal and professional reputation and for the considerable distress and embarrassment.

They had agreed to reimburse all his legal costs and make a substantial donation to a charity chosen by him to benefit abuse victims.

Jane Phillips, counsel for the defendants, said they sincerely apologized and accepted that the allegations were false.

"My client is extremely pleased with the outcome, which sets the record straight, since he has never been arrested for drunk driving, dog theft, or anything else," Smith said outside court.