A man has denied stalking actress Anna Friel for almost three years.
Phil Appleton, 71, is alleged to have sent “numerous messages”, visited the actress’ home address on several occasions and “left unwanted gifts”.
Reading Crown Court also heard the alleged behaviour, reported to have happened between 1 January 2022 and 11 December 2024, had an “adverse affect” on Ms Friel’s day-to-day activities.
Mr Appleton, of Springfield Road in Windsor, pleaded not guilty to one count of stalking causing serious alarm or distress.
The defendant told the judge, Neil Millard, he accepted sending messages to Ms Friel and visiting her home address on several occasions but denied his behaviour amounted to stalking.
Ms Friel, 48, rose to fame with her role as Beth Jordache in Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, before gaining international fame in 2007 for starring as Charlotte ‘Chuck’ Charles in ABC comedy series, Pushing Daisies.
She then won an International Emmy for Best Actress in 2017 for her role as title character in the ITV and Netflix mystery drama series, Marcella.
A provisional trial date for Mr Appleton has been set at Reading Crown Court for 28 July.
