Fern Britton’s stalker horror could help more victims to be heard before they are hurt
LEGAL restrictions prevent me from saying too much about the Holly Willoughby stalker trial until a verdict is delivered.
But undoubtedly, the alleged plot by an obsessive to “rape and murder” the 43-year-old TV host (which he denies) affected Holly enough that, when the allegations first came to light, she immediately removed herself from the public eye and took time out with her family.
The high-profile trial is taking place just days after another obsessive admitted stalking Fern Britton.
James Haviland, 63, has been given a 12-month community service order and been barred from contacting her for ten years after carrying out a “pre-planned and well-researched stalking campaign”.
He sent flowers to the 66-year-old TV presenter’s home in Cornwall, with a message saying “you’re beautiful” — and drove 200 miles to spend a week in a holiday cottage she owns next door, just so he could look into her garden.
All of which might sound harmless compared to other cases where violence is threatened, but being stalked on any level invades your peace of mind and makes the victim alter their behaviour for fear of an escalation to physical harm.
Particularly when it becomes clear an obsessive knows where they live.
Suddenly, the home that someone regards as their sanctuary becomes a place they feel wary in — feeling unduly startled by any strange noises and looking over their shoulder as they walk out of the door.
Taylor Swift has endured a number of stalkers and now carries army-grade bandages for gunshots or stab wounds because, she says, “you get enough stalkers trying to break into your house, and you kind of start prepping for bad things”.
How awful to have to think in that way.
Actress Keira Knightley had a stalker who meowed through her letterbox and drew chalk arrows on her doorstep. She ended up moving.
Singer and actress Lily Allen was in bed when her stalker broke in, ripped her duvet off and yelled: “F***ing bitch!”
He was eventually caught, and detained in a mental health facility, but one can only imagine what a terrifying experience like that does to your own mental health.
Celebrity stalkers are alarmingly common, but it happens to non- famous people too — their stories are just less likely to hit the headlines. And, as highlighted in the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer, men are also stalked. But statistically, it’s more likely to happen to women.
Anti-stalking charity Paladin takes 5,000 calls a year from those being stalked, but says: “Victims are still not being heard or receiving the response they deserve and need to be safe. Perpetrators continue with impunity.”
Sometimes, victims feel they will have to be violently attacked or even murdered before their ordeal will be taken seriously.
“Many people and agencies, including law enforcement, still do not fully understand stalking behaviours and the risks associated with it,” says the Paladin website.
Hopefully, high-profile cases being tried in court, like Holly and Fern’s, will help facilitate a much-needed change.
Blanca’s as mad as a Marsh bare
KANYE WEST – or whatever he’s called these days – prides himself on being “fashion forward” when it comes to setting trends.
Kim Kardashian used to be Kanye’s “muse”.
But since the demise of their marriage, his new dress-up dolly is second wife Bianca Censori, who looks increasingly sad as she trails alongside him in a succession of barely there outfits. Check out this latest one for “dinner in Paris”.
Sacre bleu! Heaven knows what the city synonymous with understated style made of this sartorial aberration.
But I digress. It’s reminiscent of the, ahem, iconic “crystal boob belt” donned by Noughties glamour girl Jodie Marsh.
So more a case of “fashion backward” then.
Copped one off the ex
A SIGNIFICANT number of people tell porkies on a CV to enhance their chance of getting a job.
Particularly under the “hobbies” section where, suddenly, we all claim to be passionate about “photography” because we once took a grainy snap of Granny on Camber Sands.
But 57-year-old Nick Adderley took it to a whole new level.
He described himself as a “naval commander” despite only being in the service for two years and reaching no further than able seaman – and he claimed to be a military negotiator in Haiti despite never having been there.
He also wore a Falklands War medal even though he was just 15 when the fighting was going on.
Bad enough, you might think.
But the job he was applying for (and got) was as Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police – for which he was paid £176,550 a year.
Quite rightly, he has now been banned from ever working for the police again after an independent inquiry ruled he had committed gross misconduct.
And how was he found out? His former spouse dobbed him in.
No man is a hero, fake or otherwise, to his ex-wife.
Pair of mugs
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE was once one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
But when he was pulled over for alleged drink-driving in the US last week, the police officer was so young that he hadn’t a clue who Justin was.
Ouch!
Still, as mickey-taking memes go, at least Justin’s arrest mugshot is pretty tame.
In fact, it could be a passport photo.
Unlike actor Nick Nolte, whose mugshot, inset, will haunt him for the rest of his days.
Evan a laugh
MODEL Miranda Kerr says her husband “avoids screens at all times” because “he grew up without a TV”.
And who is she married to?
None other than Evan Spiegel, co-founder of Snapchat, which encourages kids to be glued to a phone screen.
Oh, the irony. Or is it hypocrisy?
Game is up, Andy
ANDY MURRAY is reportedly hoping for a miracle recovery from his latest injury, to let him play Wimbledon.
However, considering he underwent an operation for a spinal cyst just over a week ago, it must be unlikely.
Murray’s fierce tenacity is admirable and won him two Wimbledon titles at the height of his career, but he’s now 37 and dogged by injury.
Surely it’s time to hang up the racket and become an in-demand “tennis great” pundit?
But is anyone brave enough to suggest it?
Sayle's always been left-wing
COMEDIAN Alexei Sayle was once a Labour Party member and has always been unswervingly left-wing.
He says: “I’ve been a resident in this borough for over 40 years and I’ve never disliked our current MP more.
“I would like to replace him with someone who is a decent human being.”
Does he reside in a staunch Tory stronghold?
Nope, he lives in the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, where the MP is none other than . . . Sir Keir Starmer.
You have been warned.
What Ange and I have in common
AT last, Angelina Jolie and I have got something in common.
We both have a tattoo of a small bird. Except that hers is on her chest, mine is on my bum and, 40 years on, now more emu in size.