THE spotlight of the Leveson Inquiry today fell on former Blackburn Rovers footballer Garry Flitcroft.

The inquiry, a probe into the culture, practices and ethics of the tabloid press in the wake of the News of the World phone hacking scandal, heard that Mr Flitcroft took out an injunction in 2001 to prevent a "kiss and tell" story going to print.

This was overturned by the Court of Appeal in early 2002, leading to public humiliation for the married father when his name was finally revealed.

Flitcroft's family was "ripped apart" and his children were subjected to teasing at school, the hearing was told.

It caused his father-in-law, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, "enormous distress".

Meanwhile his father, who lived with depression, stopped going to watch him play football because of the abuse he received.

Flitcroft's father later committed suicide, the inquiry heard.

Barrister David Sherborne, who is representing 51 alleged victims of press intrusion, said: “The judgment against him, whether right or wrong, had an impact on his private life.

“Helicopters followed him, his children were teased at school.

"He will tell the hearing about the barrage of publicity he and his father, and his wife faced subsequently and the abuse he received.

“Flitcroft believes the newspapers' pursuit of him and his family was a contributing factor to his father's suicide.”

Mr Sherborne is claiming at the hearing that press intrusion had contributed to two suicides, and one attempted suicide.

Max Mosley believes the press coverage of his private affairs was partly to blame for the death of his son, while Charlotte Church says her mother was admitted to hospital after attempting suicide.