Life's a beach: Wayne and Coleen furious as Rio Ferdinand stays silent over wedding snub

Manchester United defender Rio and his partner Rebecca Ellison pulled out of the £5 million bash at the last minute.

But more than a week after the £50,000 a-head celebration, it has been reported that Rio,29, has still not contacted Rooney to apologise or explain his mystery absence.

Rio Ferdinand walks in the Mediterranean Sea. He was pictured over the weekend in Tel-Aviv holidaying with his brother Anton and friend Jody Morris, a former Leeds football player

Instead he seems happy soaking up the sun on a beach in Tel-Aviv, Israel, with his brother Anton and former Leeds player Jody Morris.

A friend said: “Very, very late on it was apparent Rio was not turning up,” The People newspaper reported today.

“If Wayne and Coleen had known two people weren’t going to come there were loads of other people they could have invited instead.

Wayne Rooney and his new wife Coleen are said to be furious that Rio has not called to explain his mystery absence from the wedding

“It was furiously late. There’s been no conversation since between Wayne and Rio.”

Ferdinand had earlier told Rooney and Coleen, both aged 22, he would be at the wedding, even though Rebecca is seven months pregnant with their second child.

He had been fitted for a suit for the special occasion and Rooney and Coleen had even sent a car to take Rio and his partner to the airport to fly to Italy where the wedding was held.

But when the car arrived the couple were nowhere to be seen and it was too late to find replacement guests.

An insider said: “It’s bizarre. Rio isn’t know for having the best memory but surely he couldn’t forget the wedding.

Rio and former Leeds player Jody Morris relax in the shade, listening to music

Thirsty work: Rio and a pal are served drinks by a waitress

“He hasn’t even called to apologise or explain why he didn’t attend.

“He accepted the invite months ago and they were expected to be there for the full week of celebrations.

“But they didn’t show – so that was a waste of about £100,000.

“It’s not the money that matters, it's the principle.”

Rio, who dreams of bagging the England captaincy, also failed to show up for Rooney’s stag party in Ibiza earlier this month.

Organisers said he cut the trip short to get back for the wedding.

Rio cools down by taking a dip in the sea. But the England player has still not managed to cool team-mate Rooney's temper following the snub

But days after his no-show in Italy he was seen partying at Israel nightclub.

 And on Friday he was pictured on a private beach, swimming in the sea and relaxing in the sun without a care in the world.

 A source said: “Rio didn’t go to Wayne’s stag do because he was worried he’d be criticised for enjoying himself  while the Europea championships were on and England were stuck at home after failing to qualify.

“He is very PR-conscious because he is desperate to get his hands on the England captaincy and Wayne does understand that. Then he’s pictured in a club a few days later.

“He can’t go to Ibiza or Italy because Rebecca’s pregnant or he’s worried about his image – but he can go on a boy’s trip to Israel. It makes no sense.

“Wayne is disappointed and wants an explanation.”

A spokeswoman for Wayne and Coleen said: “It was a fantastic day which everybody present massively enjoyed.” Rio was unavailable for comment.