Flatley says he called the FBI over blackmail attempts

The Irish-American dancer hit back at his accuser by saying the pair had consensual sex and she was trying to blackmail him.

He said she threatened to go public with the claims unless he made "a sufficient payment to satisfy" her, and that she defamed him.

The woman, an estate agent from Chicago, began her $35m (�22m) claim against Flatley in Lake County, Illinois, on Tuesday.

Their relationship and everything that occurred between them was entirely voluntary and consensual Michael Flatley's lawsuit

She said the star raped her in his suite at the Venetian resort hotel-casino after inviting her to spend the day sightseeing, shopping and gambling.

But his lawsuit said she got into his bed, willingly spent the night there and made no attempt to leave.

"Their relationship and everything that occurred between them that night was entirely voluntary and consensual on her part," court papers filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court said

She was "relaxed and happy" as they enjoyed breakfast the next morning, Flatley's papers said.

The woman reported the alleged rape to police, but criminal charges were not sought.

The dancer's lawsuit said the police did not pursue the claims because she tried to make a "bogus report" as part of her "extortionate scheme".

Flatley also said he had called in the FBI over her alleged extortion attempts.

Flatley's attorney, Bert Fields, said the rape allegations were "absolutely false".

"There is no truth to it whatsoever. The evidence to that effect is overwhelming," he said.

Global star

Flatley helped launch the legend of the Irish dancing spectacle Riverdance after performing at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin.

He was a multi-millionaire by the time he left Riverdance after a concert in London's Hyde Park on 25 July 1998.

Flatley turned down a �1m offer to box professionally from Irish promoters Team Ireland, and carried on dancing, taking his Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames tours around the world.

The performer, whose legs were reportedly insured for �25m by Lloyds of London, was the first American to win the World Irish Dance Championships, going on to win more than 120 titles in 13 countries.