Laura Woods Opens Up About Stalking Ordeal and Its Impact

Sports presenter Laura Woods has revealed the emotional toll of a prolonged stalking ordeal that left her feeling “exposed” and “anxious.” In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Woods detailed the harassment she experienced from a Liverpool fan, which began in 2021. The stalker, identified as Harneet Kaur, was sentenced to 14 months in prison for a campaign of abuse that included online harassment and sending inappropriate items to Woods’ residence.

Years of Intimidation

Woods recounted the disturbing lengths Kaur took to disrupt her life over a span of three years. “There were birthday cards that would say: ‘Today’s the day you were born and tonight’s the night you’re going to die,’” she shared. The harassment included receiving monthly funeral letters, which Kaur orchestrated by signing Woods up for such services, and even false reports made to police and animal welfare regarding her dog.

In addition to sending unsolicited packages, Kaur directed threats towards Woods in a chilling video posted while at a shooting range in the United States. “It was just too much, and it changed the way I felt about London. I lived on my own with my dog, and I felt very exposed,” Woods explained. The emotional strain from these experiences led her into a difficult place, causing heightened anxiety and a sense of isolation.

Life Beyond the Ordeal

Woods also discussed her life after overcoming the stalking, touching on her experiences with motherhood and personal loss. She is engaged to former Love Island star Adam Collard and opened up about a miscarriage she suffered before giving birth to her son, Leo, who is now ten months old. “Talking to a lady who’d had three miscarriages, you realize how common it is,” she said, reflecting on the emotional complexities surrounding such experiences.

Collard addressed the stalking incident during his appearance on Celebrity SAS, a move that Woods supported. “He asked me: ‘What if it comes up?’ I said: ‘It’s not a stigma. I don’t want this to be something we have to hide,’” she stated. She highlighted the emotional impact of loss, describing it as “a loss of something you’ve never had, that you’ve never met, but you feel a real connection to it.”

Woods made headlines again earlier in December 2023 when she collapsed live on air while presenting ITV’s coverage of England’s friendly match against Ghana. The incident occurred at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, where pundits Ian Wright and Anita Asante quickly assisted her. ITV cut to a commercial break, and when coverage resumed, her role was filled by colleague Katie Shanahan, who confirmed that Woods had been “taken ill.”

Through her courageous openness about these experiences, Woods continues to advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of addressing issues surrounding harassment and personal safety.