Rapper Lil Kim

The hip-hop star was due to make a string of appearances in the capital this month and was paid £12,500 by Abstrakt Visions Entertainment to be seen at a number of nightclubs.

But Lil' Kim was struck down with a nosebleed on Friday night, just a day before her first appearance on Saturday, and pulled out of the planned slots, according to TMZ.com.

The 34 year old then jetted back to the US, leaving the company without a star guest - and now bosses at Abstrakt Visions Entertainment are considering suing the star.

However, Lil' Kim's rep has defended her client's actions, alleging the real reason she pulled out of the appearances was because of the promoters' poor planning - insisting they failed to give her a proper schedule.