Kym Marsh settles phone-hacking claim at High Court

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh and former boxer Frank Bruno are among the latest list of well-known names to settle phone-hacking claims at the High Court.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Sep 2018, 13:45 BST
Updated 27th Sep 2018, 19:03 BST
Kym MarshKym Marsh
Kym Marsh

A total of 16 cases, including actions brought by the soap actress, from Wigan, and actor and comedian Les Dennis, were aired before Mr Justice Mann in London on Thursday.

Their lawyers read out statements on their behalf, giving details of settlement of their claims against publisher News Group Newspapers.

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Claimants also include singer Samuel Preston and comedian Bob Mortimer.

Their cases are the latest in a large number of claims for misuse of private information brought by public figures from all walks of life after the phone-hacking scandal.

The list of those who settled also included former British Olympics Association chief executive Simon Clegg; model Nancy Moir; singer Samuel Preston; Cherie Blair's former fitness trainer Carole Caplin; Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman; and Coronation stars Jimmi Harkishin, Alan Halsall, Lucy-Jo Hudson, Kate Ford and Samia Ghadie.

Lawyer Claire Greaney, of Charles Russell Speechlys, which represented the Coronation Street stars, said: "Everyone has the right to privacy and confidentiality.

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"Violating that right was simply unacceptable. While our clients have a public profile, their private life is just that - private - and should be respected as such."

Bruno said later: "I always believed that there was something strange going on with my phone, but no-one believed me.

"For years I said I was being hacked, but people just said 'Poor old Frank, he's really lost it this time'.

"I am glad that News Group Newspapers has finally apologised to me for the intrusions into my private life and the distress which it caused me and those close to me over a number of years.

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"No amount of money will never pay for the stress this caused, the sleepless nights, and the countless rows I had with people who I thought had leaked stories to the press.

"The people who did this are the lowest of the low. 'Gutter press' is a good description.

"I hope they have now learnt some lessons.

"My mum used to say that we need to forgive those who have wronged us and, despite what I have been through, I will try and put this horrible episode behind me.

"I am thankful to those around me who supported me in my fight."