The unnamed British celebrity who fought to keep his identity hidden over sexual misconduct claims has lost that fight in court.

Judge Matthew Nicklin ruled that the man cannot block the allegations from being published. His name will stay under wraps for now so he has time to decide whether to appeal, according to reports.

The star is accused of using his fame and standing over a span of years to chase inappropriate sexual relationships with many girls and much younger women. He has denied the claims. The judge did not decide whether any of the allegations are true.

Why he wanted to stay hidden

The man, referred to in court only as "PPT," had asked the judge to bar ITN and The Guardian from naming him. His lawyers pointed to the risk that he could harm himself if he were outed.

His legal team insisted the request did not mean he was admitting to anything. They said he simply feared a "trial by media."

Lawyers for the two news groups countered that treatment could lower the suicide risk. They said the claims were too important to hide from the public.

The judge called the case "difficult and important" in his ruling. He had earlier warned members of the public that they could face jail if they kept trying to work out who the man is.

What the filings reveal

Court documents released after the ruling describe a sharp decline after the star got letters from the two outlets in May seeking his response to the claims.

According to his assistant, the letters changed how he acted almost at once. The assistant said he could not cope with the idea of bad press and spoke of wanting to end his life.

He voluntarily entered a psychiatric facility within hours, the documents say. His publicist said his mental state kept him from replying to the allegations at first.

In July he left the hospital while on a period of leave and tried to take his own life, according to the filings. His assistant learned where he was going and stepped in.

In a recorded conversation with his lawyer in October he said he had hidden or played down his suicidal thoughts so the hospital would loosen its restrictions and let him go.

He also voiced fear that the claims going public could wreck his bond with his son. His lawyers raised that worry while arguing for his anonymity.

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