SA court told fitness guru Kayla Itsines and Freelee the Banana Girl have settled their defamation stoush without trial

SOCIAL media celebrity Freelee the Banana Girl has settled her bitter war with bikini diet pioneer Kayla Itsines, and promised a court she will not disparage her rival online.

SOCIAL media celebrity Freelee the Banana Girl has settled her bitter war with bikini diet pioneer Kayla Itsines, and promised a court she will not disparage her rival online.

Today Freelee, more formally known as Leanne Ratcliffe, and her boyfriend Harley Johnstone consented to a settlement and thereby avoided a trial for alleged defamation.

The duo, who have 500,000 social media followers, agreed to take down YouTube videos that were critical of Ms Itsines, who has 2.5 million online fans.

They further agreed they would not produce any further videos, nor speak to electronic or print media about Ms Itsines or her boyfriend, bodybuilder Tobias Pearce.

Outside court, Ms Ratcliffe told The Advertiser she would abide by the settlement.

“Recalling every detail of it (the settlement) is a little difficult, but I understand it and I will follow it,” she said.

“Now it’s over, I’m just going to continue helping women around the world ... I’ve done that for a long time, and I’ll continue to do so.”

This month, Ms Itsines obtained an injunction with the Supreme Court that ordered several of Ms Ratcliffe and Mr Johnstone’s videos be removed from YouTube.

She asserted the duo defamed her through false claims that her program, The Bikini Body Guide, starves people.

She further asserted they defamed Mr Pearce by claiming he uses steroids.

Court documents accused Ms Ratcliffe and Mr Johnstone of being foul-mouthed parasites who are claiming victim status and trying to encourage cyber-vigilante action against them.

The documents included a copy of Mr Johnstone’s e-book in which he claims he could “retire in 100 countries” on the profits he makes from “pimping her out” on YouTube.

Mr Johnstone and Ms Ratcliffe insisted they were “sharing their nutritional opinion” and should not be sued for “speaking up”.

Ms Ratcliffe said Mr Johnstone was “joking” about pimping her out, calling it a “cheeky” way of inspiring their fans to follow her example.

Last week, Judge Brian Withers said the case should proceed to trial but Ms Itsines’ counsel asked for a seven-day adjournment to pursue negotiations.

Today, Ms Itsines’ counsel told Judge Withers a settlement had been reached and that the matter would conclude without financial penalty or the payment of court costs.

Counsel for Ms Ratcliffe agreed, saying “that’s our position” while Mr Johnstone, who represented himself in court, added: “Currently.”

Asked, by Judge Withers, if he was consenting to the settlement, Mr Johnstone replied: “Mmm-hmm.”

Judge Withers made formal orders that the settlement be carried out.

He also listed the matter for a final hearing in May, to ensure the settlement had been complied with by all parties.

Outside court, Mr Johnstone said he was “not too clear” on what the settlement entailed other than “basically keep your opinion to yourself”.

Ms Itsines did not attend court today, but Mr Pearce said he and his girlfriend were happy to have resolved the matter.

“I’m glad some smart decisions were made and we have been able to come to an amicable agreement between the parties,” he said.