Semel told one of her friends that she and Lindsay "were very passionate until her fear of being found out drove us apart."

"At the time she was terrified her career would be over if she revealed her sexual tendencies.

"But then Samantha came on to the scene and I was dropped."

Courtenay, 25, also said Lindsay tried to suppress her lesbian urges and to hide them from the public by bedding a string of men. She sank into addictions as the pressure of her double life grew and slipped into a bizarre love triangle with both women.

News of the World writes:

"She met Lindsay in the summer of 2006 at a party in Malibu," Courtenay's pal said.

"From the start Lindsay was very confused about her feelings for Courtenay so did more and more drugs to stifle the sexual attraction she was experiencing.

"But eventually she just gave in and at every party they'd kiss and touch each other in the corner. It's a miracle nobody found out.

"Both of them would do lines of cocaine in the toilets then head home and fall into bed together."

Throughout the following year, the pair stumbled through an on- off relationship as troubled Lindsay checked into a succession of rehab units and continued to date men as a 'cover'. But it was as early as January 2007 that she first met 31-year-old Samantha, sister of pop guru Mark Ronson.

"Back then Samantha and Lindsay didn't have a physical relationship," Courtenay's pal continued. "She once said, 'Samantha's the father I never had'!

"Apparently Samantha acted in a 'paternal' way towards her, giving her advice and cuddles."

At one stage, the friend added, both Courtenay and Samantha were separately visiting Lindsay at a rehab unit called Promises.

The pal went on: "By now Lindsay was sending 'I love you' notes to Samantha and signing them 'Lindsay Ronson' but telling Courtenay she loved her too."

By October, Courtenay appeared to have the upper hand. She and Lindsay moved into a rented house in Beverly Hills. "But still Lindsay brought men back," the pal added. "Courtenay would throw fits of rage, writing her hundreds of angry e-mails from another room in the house.

"The sexual attraction between them was electric though and they'd still kiss and make up."

That ended last December when Lindsay bedded one man too many and, unable to take more humiliation, Courtenay moved out.

It was less than a week later that Samantha was back on the scene. Outwardly, at least, Lindsay became a changed person, even turning blonde.

The pal added: "Courtenay still can't understand how Lindsay is now so open with Samantha.

"Every time she sees a picture of them together it kills her."

Last update: 01-29-2009 18:51