Two former American Idol contestants have lost a $40 million (£25 million) discrimination lawsuit against MTV.

Corey Clark and Jaered Andrews were both disqualified from the reality singing competition in 2003 and filed a lawsuit against the channel and its parent company Viacom for discrimination in 2012.

Andrews and Clark, who infamously claimed he had an affair with then-judge Paula Abdul, sued over how they were characterised by a reporter regarding their disqualification, and Clark cited reports suggesting he was kicked off the show for concealing his various run-ins with the law.

U.S. District Judge William Haynes has now thrown out the case at a court in Tennessee, ruling the media reports are not actionable for libel because they were based on published facts.

Clark also failed in three other attempts to sue Mtv, with the judge rejecting claims under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and the Personal Rights Protection Act, and an allegation of invasion of privacy.

Clark and Andrews are still pursuing a lawsuit against American Idol bosses, along with eight other singers, arguing they were booted off the show because of their race.