Washington £­ British supermodel Kate Moss has been dropped as the face of lingerie giant Agent Provocateur.

And the news comes straight from the firm's co-owner Serena Rees, who revealed that firm has decided not to renew Moss' 500,000 pounds-a-year contract, and has opted to go for a younger model instead.

"Our current campaign with Kate comes to an end in August and we've already chosen our new face. It's top-secret but she's quite different. She's not sexy in an overt way," the Daily Mail quoted her, as saying.

As for why the split has come, well insiders insist that the reason is because Serena ran off with Paul Simonon, former bassist of rock band The Clash - and the husband of one of Kate's best friends.

A friend of the supermodel last night said that Kate was disappointed that the contract was not renewed.

"Kate really enjoyed doing the campaign for Agent Provocateur. It was a big comeback shoot after her cocaine scandal and she looked incredible," said the source," the pal said.

"Kate was paid half a million pounds for her services, so obviously it was something she could continue doing. But when Serena ran off with Paul it made things complicated. Serena has been saying it was her decision not to use Kate," the pal added.

However, another friend insisted that Moss' stint at Agent Provocateur was a 'one-ff arrangement' for a friend.

"Kate's work with Agent Provocateur was a one-off arrangement, almost as a favour for friends and there was never any long-term commitment from either side," the pal said. (ANI)