Rio Ferdinand has lost his privacy action over a 'kiss and tell' story.

The England and Manchester United centre back was not at London's High Court today to hear Mr Justice Nicol dismiss his claim against the Sunday Mirror. Mr Ferdinand, 32, brought his case for misuse of private information over an article published in April 2010 in which interior designer Carly Storey gave her account of their 13-year relationship in return for £16,000.

The judge said: 'Overall, in my judgment, the balancing exercise favours the defendant's right of freedom of expression over the claimant's right of privacy.' Mr Ferdinand had branded the piece, entitled 'My affair with England captain Rio', a 'gross invasion of my privacy', and said he had not seen Ms Storey for six years at the time it appeared. At a hearing in July, his lawyers asked for a maximum of £50,000 damages and a worldwide gagging order.

The article claimed that the football star, who has three children with wife Rebecca, ended the relationship within days of being handed the England skipper's armband in February 2010.