Church set for hacking payout

Singer Charlotte Church is reportedly set to pocket up to £500,000 from newspaper bosses over the phone hacking scandal.

The Welsh former child star was among a group of celebrities who launched legal action against the News of the World after revelations their cell phone voicemail messages had been intercepted by a private detective working for the now-defunct tabloid.

Other stars - including funnyman Steve Coogan and rocker Pete Doherty - settled with the publication's parent company News Group Newspapers earlier this month but Church was adamant she was holding out for a court showdown.

Now it's emerged Church and her parents, who are also named in the lawsuit, are ready to accept damages and legal costs of between £380,000 and £500,000 to end the legal action. The settlement is due to be rubber-stamped this week.