Pete Burns, a former Celebrity Big Brother contestant has been awarded over 400,000 in damages following a disastrous cosmetic procedure.

The flamboyant singer, who fronted eighties pop band Dead Or Alive, was guaranteed to win damages after the specialist performing the procedure instructed his lawyers to admit liability on his behalf, although many people thought he would be awarded over a million pounds.

Burns, aged 49, was treated at The London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery by Dr Maurizio Viel after seeking help when his existing lip implants had reduced in size. Dr Viel then used cosmetic filler called Outline on ‘You Spin Me Round’ singer, despite manufacturer’s warning that the filler should not be used when there were already other fillers present. He then continued to ignore the warnings, by injecting several follow up doses, which was also against the manufacturers’ advice.

Mr Burns experienced swelling of the lips and congealed lumps of filler, as well as suffering with discharge from the lips, as a result of the treatment. To try and remedy these problems Burn’s has had to undergo a number of surgical procedures to try and cleanse his lips of the product residue, although the symptoms are likely to resurface at some stage, meaning further procedures will be necessary.

The legal team representing Burns suggested that the dangerous filler was injected into their clients lips on a number of occasions between 2000 and 2004 by Dr Viel, with testing to rule out an adverse reaction. Viel also ignored the manufacturer’s advice on possible side effects, neglecting to inform his patient of the possible risks of using the product.

Dr Viel admitted liability on a number of counts, once the case was brought against him, the main one being that he had administered Outline, without heeding the manufacturer’s instructions.

The case was eventually settled out of court and Mr Burns won a 450,000 payout for both financial and emotional damage, saying of the ordeal ‘It has taken away my life and my career. I saw doctors in London who said the only option was to amputate my lips.

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