TV star Kris Marshall told the High Court today intrusions into his private life left him “paranoid and suspicious” as he settled a phone hacking claim against the publishers of the News of the World.
The actor, 47, who starred in BBC comedy My Family, Death in Paradise, and hit film Love Actually, sued News Group Newspapers – publishers of the now-defunct Sunday newspaper and The Sun – over allegations that his private voicemails had been intercepted.
He suspected a string of News of the World articles between 2002 and 2010 had been fuelled by intrusions into his private life, and joined dozens of other famous faces who were suing the publisher for damages at the High Court.
In a public statement this morning, the actor’s lawyer Alex Cochrane said a financial settlement has now been reached over Mr Marshall’s claim, and he will be paid a significant sum in damages.
Mr Marshall, who described himself as a “very private individual”, launched the legal claim in January last year, alleging journalists had hacked into his voicemails from family and friends and the newspaper had also “obtained personal information by deception”.
“(He) used voicemails extensively, particularly while on set filming”, said Mr Cochrane. “As a result of the publications, he became paranoid and suspicious.”
News Group Newspapers today apologised for “distress” caused to the star by the actions of the News of the World.
As part of the settlement, no admission of liability were made over Mr Marshall’s claims that The Sun had been involved in phone hacking and other unlawful information gathering. The Sun has consistently maintained that phone hacking did not take place at the newspaper.
Today’s hearing in front of Mr Justice Mann was told that 49 legal claims have been issued but not settled by the publisher, while another 83 claims are waiting to be lodged.
A trial of any phone hacking claims against News Group that cannot be settled is due to take place in October.
