MIRROR Group Newspapers (MGN) publicly apologised at the High Court yesterday to four celebrities for phone hacking .

Former footballers Dwight Yorke and Andrew Cole, model Danielle Lloyd and actor Jennifer Ellison received undisclosed damages for their claims for misuse of private information.

Lawyer Mark Elder told Mr Justice Mann that Ms Lloyd was “distressed and appalled” to learn that she was targeted.

The court heard that Ms Ellison believed the hacking adversely affected her career and that MGN actions had a “massive emotional impact” on Mr Yorke.

MGN apologised for any damage or distress suffered as a result of the unlawful interception of voicemail messages more than a decade ago.

Mr Elder said later: “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.”