Church takes huge hacking payout
Singer CHARLOTTE CHURCH has agreed to accept a huge compensation payout for her family after their voicemail messages were intercepted by tabloid the News of the World.
The former child star has been awarded £600,000, one of the largest payments emanating from the scandal, after London's High Court heard the newspaper published 33 articles as a result of hacking her phone.
The Welsh singer's parents, James and Maria, were also targeted by a private investigator working for the now-defunct tabloid in what amounted to a campaign of "harassment", the hearing was told.
Church's cell phone messages were intercepted once she turned 16 in 2002, and as a result the newspaper gained "sensitive medical information" and details of her first relationship.
The settlement of £600,000 - for compensation and legal costs - dwarfs those of other stars who have sued over the phone hacking scandal, including actor Jude Law, who received £130,000, funnyman Steve Coogan, and musician Pete Doherty.