Anna Friel stalker bailed ahead of sentencing

The stalking caused Anna Friel "serious alarm", Reading Crown Court previously heard

A man who stalked Anna Friel for almost three years has been bailed ahead of his sentencing.

Phil Appleton sent numerous messages, visited the actress' home address on several occasions and left unwanted gifts between 1 January and 11 December 2024, Reading Crown Court previously heard.

The 71-year-old, of Springfield Road, Windsor, pleaded guilty earlier this week to one count of stalking causing serious alarm or distress.

He was due to be sentenced earlier but judge Alan Blake adjourned the hearing until 18 September so a pre-sentence report could be completed.

Appleton, who has been in custody for six months and has spent time in a mental health facility, was granted conditional bail.

He must not contact Friel or enter the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

His behaviour was said to have had an "adverse effect" on the actress' day-to-day activities.

Friel, 49, 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.