Mike Tindall drops Express legal action after settlement reached

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall on Ladies Day at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival. Credit: Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Mike Tindall has agreed a settlement with Express Newspapers over a story about his marriage to Zara Phillips.

The legal action was brought in privacy by Tindall after the Sunday Express falsely reported rumours in February last year about the state of his marriage, a spokesman for the former rugby player said.

Hearings were due to begin on November 5, but an "amicable settlement" has been reached and Express Newspapers has "apologised unreservedly", his spokesman continued.

A statement issued on Tindall's behalf reads:

'These rumours caused considerable distress', Mike Tindall's spokesman said. Credit: Tim Ireland/PA Wire

His spokesman said they were "delighted" that the matter has been settled to the star's satisfaction.

"The legal action was bought as a matter of principle to protect intrusion of privacy and on the basis of merely 'rumours' being falsely reported by Express Newspapers. These rumours caused considerable distress," he said.

"When false rumours and inaccurate stories are published by responsible media, it is only right and proper that these are addressed and corrected for public record."

An apology is expected to be published in print and online this weekend, the spokesman added.