The December cover became the target of frenzied scrutiny after eagle-eyed critics noted the contour of her body inexplicably changed direction under the loose-fitting sash wrapped around the top of her leg.

And Citrano was quick to add his voice to the debate, writing on his website: "Did she have some sort of weird car accident that left a wedge of meat missing from it? "The fabric even magically floats above the missing thigh."

Moore blasted all such speculation, and even posted on Twitter what she insisted was the original picture in a bid to prove her point. Her lawyer Marty Singer wrote to Citrano demanding a full retraction - which the fearless photographer then posted online.

It read: "As you are undoubtedly well aware, my client's appearance is of great importance to her career and livelihood, and false claims or insinuations that she secretly uses extraordinarily artificial means to alter her appearance are extremely damaging."

However, Citrano is refusing to bow down to pressure, telling the New York Post: "Neither of these (retraction and apology) will be forthcoming."

Bucharest Herald