Fashion designer Donatella Versace and her ex-husband Paul Beck are to sue several newspapers over their reporting of their daughter's battle with anorexia.

Reports suggested 20-year-old ALLEGRA VERSACE BECK had been hospitalized after years of battling the eating disorder. In Wednesday's (28MAR07) editions of London's Evening Standard and Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper, Versace was quoted as saying, "Anorexia is consuming her... The doctors are doing all they can to snatch her away from this cruel disease."

However, the couple insists Versace made no such comment and their daughter is receiving medical treatment at home.

"Our daughter, Allegra has been battling anorexia, a very serious disease, for many years. She is receiving the best medical care possible to help overcome this illness and is responding well. "Allegra is not at present staying in any hospital, she is living in her private residence and her condition does not cause particular concerns.

"As parents, we are doing our best to protect our daughter. However, due to numerous media reports, we want to let everyone know that we appreciate their concern for Allegra, and we ask that her privacy be respected at this time."

Meanwhile, RADAR reports that prying paparazzo forced Donatella Versace to go public with her daughter's anorexia.

Starting about three weeks ago, a major photo agency shopped the series around to magazines, seeking $50,000 for them, but was unable to find a buyer. The photos of the 20-year-old heiress over a month ago, reportedly showed her walking outdoors with a plastic tube snaking out of her nose. Gossips claimed it was a naso-gastric feeding tube.

Asked about the photos, the Versace family's spokesman declined to elaborate on his earlier statement.