A New York appeals court has given the go-ahead to a $45 million (£30 million) lawsuit against LEONARDO DiCAPRIO, for his alleged role in a street brawl.

The TITANIC star and several of his friends were sued by ROGER WILSON, 41, who claims the actor encouraged pals to attack him outside the ASIA DE CUBA restaurant in New York in March, 1998.

Wilson contended the fight broke out after he confronted DiCaprio and his pals, following their advances at his girlfriend, actress ELIZABETH BERKLEY. The original ruling upheld a lower court decision that dismissed an assault allegation against DiCaprio.

The appeals court wrote that DiCaprio shouted incitement and the reaction of his friends to follow and assault Wilson raised enough questions for a trial. (KL/LADN/RGS)

Source: WENN