Kate Moss to pen autobiography

Kate Moss

LONDON - British supermodel Kate Moss, at the centre of a scandal last year after being filmed apparently snorting cocaine, has agreed to publish her autobiography.

Will Whitehorn, a right-hand man of Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, said Moss had agreed the terms of a deal with Branson, although there was no indication of when the book would appear on the shelves.

"Virgin Books will be publishing an autobiography," Whitehorn said today. "But it is relatively early days. We still need to proceed to a final contract."

Stories on the internet have estimated the deal at being worth between US$1 million ($1.46 million) and US$2 million.

"All the numbers that I've seen are wrong," Whitehorn said, without elaborating on the terms. He added it was unlikely the book would come out this year.

The autobiography would allow Moss to put her side of the story of the drugs scandal, which broke in September when Britain's Mirror tabloid newspaper printed photographs of her apparently taking large quantities of cocaine.

The story prompted British fashion house Burberry and Swedish-based Hennes and Mauritz to cut ties with one of the most famous faces in fashion. France's Chanel also said they would not renew a contract with Moss when it expired.

The 32-year-old, who has a three-year-old daughter, has spent most of her time since the scandal in the United States, although British police are urging her to return to the country for questioning about the drug allegations.

- REUTERS