Model Danielle Lloyd and actress Jennifer Ellison have been awarded damages and an apology from Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over phone hacking. 

The stars, along with former footballers Dwight Yorke and Andrew Cole, are also to receive payouts, following the verdict at the High Court on Thursday (3 May). 

MGN admitted during hearing that they had tapped into the voicemails of each celebrity as well as hiring private investigators in order to gain private information about them. 

While they issued an apology on each case, none of the names concerned were present in court.  

Danielle lawyer said she was “distressed and appalled” by the incident, which happened over a decade ago, while former ‘Brookside’ star Jennifer said she believed being hacked had negatively impacted on her career. 

Lawyer Mark Elder, who represented each of the claimants, said: “We’re pleased to have resolved these claims against MGN on behalf of our clients.

“Our clients may be in the public eye but they have a right to a private life, which should be respected.

“A settlement has been reached with MGN and our clients are happy with the outcome.”

Last year, actor and comedian Steve Coogan won an undisclosed six-figure sum and an apology from MGN over phone-hacking, following the likes of Hugh Grant, Davina McCall, Patsy Kensit, Michelle Collins and Kym Marsh in winning cases against the newspaper group.