Noel Fielding, the Mighty Boosh, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and GBBO star, was awarded “substantial damages” against News Group Newspapers at a court hearing in London today, when a number of claimants phone hacking cases were heard.
Alex Cochrane, Mr Fielding’s solicitor, told the court that Fielding, became suspicious when a number of articles published by NGN between 2006 and 2010, contained private information.
“During this time, Mr Fielding used his voicemail extensively and he would regularly receive and leave voicemail messages for his family and close friends,” Mr Cochrane told the court.
“It was alleged that the publication of the articles generated distrust which impacted his relationships and caused him considerable distress.”
Solicitor Callum Galbraith, whose firm Hamlins represented everyone at Thursday’s hearing apart from Emmerdale actor, Chris Bisson, said: “Getting as full an understanding of NGN’s unlawful acts is critical to many of our clients, but equally many want a full and proper apology acknowledging the considerable distress and lasting damage caused. These public apologies achieve that.”
News Group Newspapers’ Sunday paper, News of the World, was closed down in 2011 after years of phone-hacking came to light. Hundreds of high profile celebrities and members of the public have since won compensation.
News Group Newspapers apologised for “distress” caused by the illegal interception of voicemails.