NME's apology to Morrissey said: 'We do not believe that he is a racist.'

UK's DigitalSpy is reporting that "NME has issued a full public apology to Morrissey in relation to a 2007 feature which he argued implied he was a racist."

The website quoted the singer last year as saying an 'NME apology will end (the) lawsuit' and finally, Morrissey has received an apology from the magazine.

Court Action...

E! Online in the US notes the "mea culpa settles a longstanding beef between the singer and NME, which turned deeply contentious (and litigious) after the singer sued the publication shortly afterward for defamation."

In its apology, NME said it didn't shell out any money to Morrissey as part of the settlement.

Oops, sorry...

"We have said sorry to Morrissey for any misunderstanding that may have arisen. The settlement with Morrissey does not involve payment of any damages or legal costs," the mag said, noting that it did cover a "small sum of costs" stemming from an unsuccessful attempt to have the case dismissed on grounds of delay, according to the report.

More here on the settlement from DigitalSpy.Com

An NME spokeswoman told the BBC that it is "pleased it has buried the hatchet" with the singer.

Retirement looms...

Just last month, a report revealed that Morrissey said he is planning to retire in 2014.

'The Last of the Famous International Playboys' singer has said he is planning to leave the music business in two years when he is 55.

He told JuiceOnline.com: ''I am slightly shocked to have gone as far as I have.

''This is my 30th year, and I've aged a lot recently, which is bit distressing for me, as it must be for everyone. The body changes shape and there's nothing you can do about it.''

The singer started his career in 1982 as the singer of The Smiths, but after that band broke up in 1988 he forged a solo career, releasing nine studio albums to date.

Morrissey has recently been on tour in Asia and praised the rapturous reception he got from fans in Jakarta, Indonesia.

He wrote in a blog post: ''I have never in my life experienced a crowd such as that of Jakarta, who sang each song so loudly that their voices caught all of the onstage microphones and warped the sound into a mad bellow of love. Later, backstage, we were numbed by the joy that Jakarta had given us.''

The singer was also glad to be out of his home country, England, for the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth's 60 year reign, and once again expressed his dislike of the royal family.

He added: ''While dictatorships throughout the Middle East are gently condemned by the British government, there is no examination of the extremism enforced by the British 'royals', who remain the most overpaid and most utterly useless people on the planet.

''Having done nothing to earn our respect, they demand everything by return. It is a cunning and extravagant form of benefit fraud.''

(Image: WENN)