Thumbs up: Heather Mills is more than £24million richer

But the former glamour model wants to go back to the High Court, hoping to lift a gagging order that prevents her going public on her doomed marriage to Sir Paul McCartney.

Ms Mills is furious at being vilified by the judge who accused her in court documents of being a "fantasist" who indulged in "make-believe" and "wholly exaggerated" the extent of her wealth before she met the former Beatle.

Her lawyer says Mr Justice Bennett's damning 58-page judgment is like a "prolonged hanging" for Ms Mills – and says she will appeal to the same judge to allow details of her testimony to be released.

Ms Mills will argue that a court order banning her from speaking about the proceedings, in which she won £24.3million, should be lifted because it leaves her with no right of reply.

It is likely to spark another courtroom showdown with Sir Paul, as he could be called to give evidence to prevent the order being lifted.

If Ms Mills were to be successful, it would also allow her to capitalise on lucrative book and interview deals to reveal her side of the turbulent four-year marriage.

Ms Mills's solicitor David Rosen said: "Heather is very frustrated. She feels that it's very unfair that the judgment should be printed in full when she cannot defend herself.

"She's planning to apply to lift the ban. It was damning enough that the judge made his judgment so clear and vividly – no one deserves that. It's like a prolonged hanging for her."

The High Court proceedings were covered by a confidentiality agreement – strictly enforced with a court order – that prevented both Sir Paul and Ms Mills discussing any aspects of the case.

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Heather at London's High Court last Monday

But her extraordinary outburst outside court immediately after the case came dangerously close to breaching that confidentiality.

Sir Paul, 65, kept silent but applied to have the judgment made public so the truth about the settlement could be revealed.

If her application proved successful, Ms Mills would be free to disclose allegations about her marriage which she made inside the courtroom but which were not detailed in the judgment.

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Jubilant: Heather celebrates her victory with her sister Fiona

Ms Mills, 40 – mother of Sir Paul's four-year-old daughter Beatrice – flew to America last night, where she hopes to rebuild her career in New York and Los Angeles.

She is rumoured to have attracted serious bids to appear in three American TV shows and there is interest from magazines and a book publisher.

Ms Mills will receive her financial settlement when the divorce is finalised in May.

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Happier times: The McCartneys' marriage ended in a bitter divorce with Heather demanding £3.25million a year off her ex-husband

... and she's still making the VIP fuss you'd expect

By ANGELLA JOHNSON

It was VIP treatment all the way for Heather Mills as she fled Britain last night for temporary sanctuary in America.

With daughter Beatrice and a burly minder, she commandeered the children's playroom in the Virgin upper-class lounge at Heathrow, while several other parents with restless young children were prevented from entering.

In skinny jeans and a black sleeveless silk top, and with her blonde hair scraped back in a ponytail, she sipped champagne and made calls on her mobile.

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Heather with Dancing With The Stars partner Jonathan Roberts

At one point she demanded to speak to Virgin staff and four marched into the room and stood to attention.

Two police officers were at the departure gate at Heathrow – which she was driven to in a motorised buggy.

On the plane her minder, travelling in a £3,480 seat, kept an eye on Beatrice as she watched children's videos on her laptop – while Ms Mills took a 30-minute nap then enjoyed a free in-flight manicure.