The Corrs have strenuously denied that they “stole” their 2000 hit, ‘Breathless’, from a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter.

Talking to the Celebrity Justice news show, Jenesee Ricco alledged: “It was just stolen. I wanna get paid for that song. They don’t have the right to just take it.”

His subsequent demand for $50,000 in compensation has received short-thrift from The Corrs’ New York-based lawyer.

“It’s not even close,” says Nick Ferrara. “The only similarity is the title. The Corrs and Mutt Lange wrote ‘Breathless’. The Corrs don’t know this guy, Mutt Lange doesn’t know him – they’ve never met.”

On a more positive note, the quartet are currently putting the finishing touches to an album of Irish covers, and original tracks featuring fiddle, tin whistle and bodhran.

Due for release in the autumn, it also features the BBC Concert Orchestra who’ll be joining them for the accompanying tour.