Liz denies wedding plans

Elizabeth Hurley last night laughed off claims that her wedding to an Indian businessman had been called off, saying she had not even been engaged in the first place.

Arun Nayar had reportedly ditched plans to marry the actress - model because of doubts about their relationship.

But Miss Hurley's agent, Karen Smith, said: 'It was an invention of the Press that Elizabeth and Arun were getting married and they are highly amused to be told that their wedding is now off. They are eagerly awaiting the next fictionalised instalment of their riveting matrimonial plans.'

Friends of the pair say, however, that Nayar has been finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with 38-year-old Miss Hurley's jetset lifestyle and has tired of living in her shadow.

He has recently paid out £625,000 to his Italian ex-wife Valentina Pedroni and is said to be unhappy at being a 'kept man'.

It is thought the pair rely on Miss Hurley's earnings, which include a £2million-a-year modelling contract with Estee Lauder.

Nayar, whose Bombay-based family owns a textile empire, runs an Internet company.

A friend of Nayar said the money troubles came to a head on the couple's recent trip to India.

'Arun said he had a cash-flow problem and Liz was paying for everything,' he said.

'He wasn't happy about it. He's a proud Indian man but Liz wants to do everything for him and he really feels trapped.'

It is known that 38-year- old Nayar's family disapprove of the relationship, which began when he was still married to Miss Pedroni.

Although Nayar is said to have divorced in India, he technically remains married under Italian law.

Last night a close friend of Miss Pedroni said: ' I don't see how Arun could have married Liz anyway as he is still not divorced.

'Under Italian law three years have to pass before a divorce is granted and Arun and Valentina have only been apart a year.

'Maybe it's not a question of money. Maybe someone has explained to Arun that he would be a bigamist if he married again.'

Nayar began dating Miss Hurley late last year following the failure of her romances with actor Hugh Grant and U.S. millionaire Steve Bing, the father of her son Damian.