David Tennant accepts phone-hacking damages

Actor David Tennant has accepted substantial undisclosed damages from the publishers of the now defunct News of the World over a phone-hacking claim.

News Group Newspapers (NGN) settled Mr Tennant's High Court claim and issued an apology.

Tennant's lawyer said he was "outraged and shocked" by the invasion of privacy.

NGN made no admission of liability to claims relating to The Sun.

Tennant was among six people to settle claims with NGN on Tuesday.

The other claimants were Olympic medallist Colin Jackson, actress Sophia Myles, party planner Fran Cutler, fashion designer Jess Morris and footballer David James's ex-wife, Tanya Frayne.

Tennant first launched his lawsuit in March 2017, after the parent company of the News of the World closed its compensation scheme in 2013.

Civil claims against NGN have been moving through the courts since 2012 and have resulted in four aborted trials, costing the company millions in legal fees.

Tennant's counsel Sara Mansoori said the Doctor Who and Broadchurch actor "is a very private individual and he is outraged and shocked by the invasions of his privacy by individuals working for, or acting on behalf, of the News of the World".

Ben Silverstone, acting on behalf of NGN, said the company offered sincere apologies for the distress caused, and it accepted no right to intrude into his private life in any way.

Ms Mansoori, who was also representing party planner Fran Cutler, added that repeated publications had affected her business.

She added that the exposure caused "upset and suspicion" among her friends actor Sadie Frost, model Kate Moss, Noel Gallagher's ex-wife Meg Matthews, and fashion designer Pearl Lowe - and damaged her business.

Fashion designer Jess Morris believes the constant exposure of private information led to the end of her relationship with Welsh actor Rhys Ifans.

The News of the World closed in July 2011 amid damaging allegations of phone-hacking at the paper, revealed by the Guardian.

Journalists hacked into voicemail messages of celebrities by using a default factory-set PIN number.

At its time of closure the Sunday tabloid sold about 2.8 million copies a week, and was famed for its celebrity scoops and sex scandals, earning it the nickname the News of the Screws.

As a result of the scandal, a number of former journalists and managers of the paper were put on trial, including former editor and Downing Street communications director Andy Coulson.

He received an 18-month prison sentence, but was released after less than five months.

Earlier this month four other TV stars settled claims with the publisher of The Sun and the News of the World.

Coronation Street actor Jimmi Harkishin, TV presenter Kate Thornton, comedian Vic Reeves - whose real name Jim Moir - and former Spice Girls manager Chris Herbert, all received damages on 18 January.