Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt has explained that she was 'pleased' she was nearly kidnapped by a stalker last month, because it was a stark reminder to be be careful of what she shared online.
According to an article in the MirrorOnline, the 31-year-old presenter was approached by a man as she arrived at King Cross station, London, in September, who said: "Scarlett, I’ve been waiting for you. You’re coming home with me."
Speaking about the ordeal, she described the kidnap attempt as "scary" but a wake-up call. "I'm, in a way, pleased that it happened because it reminded us of how important it is to be mindful of what you're posting on social media", she told MailOnline.
"Honestly, the LNER staff. . . because it was the train guards that walked me to my hotel, they were honestly amazing. They were like, 'We're not just doing this because you're off the telly,' and I was like, 'I know!' because I've seen them do things for loads of people at the train stations so I think that's why it's important that they're there."
Moffatt added: "I'm just reminding people to be cautious of what they're posting because social media is a really fun place and it should be like that and we should be able to share experiences and all of that stuff, but yeah, we just need to be careful."
Shortly after the ordeal, a tearful Moffatt revealed the terrifying experience in a video on Instagram stories to her 2.3million followers. Despite initially rebuffing her stalker, he ignored this and continued to pursue her before helpful staff from LNER intervened.
She shared: "Right, I’m going to do this video, and not for attention or anything like that. Firstly I want to say a massive thank you to Neil and Danny who work for LNER, because it isn’t in your job description to walk me all the way to my hotel and I really, really appreciate it."
Fighting back tears, the County Durham star continued: "I’m going to tag LNER so that they can see this because honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without you. I’m doing this so that people realise the importance of using social media and not always posting where you are.
"I stupidly, naively posted on Instagram saying, "Off to London on the train" and when I got into King’s Cross station there was a guy there – oh sorry, hang on [crying]."
She paused before continuing: "Sorry, I’ve composed myself. I think, because Danny and Neil were there, I stayed calm. But this guy came at me and said, 'Scarlett, I’ve been waiting for you. You’re coming home with me.' And then I said, 'Oh no, thank you' and walked off.
"And then he followed me and was like, 'Scarlett, Scarlett, you’re coming home with me. I’m taking you home with me.' And then luckily the train guard's seen us, because it was just outside King’s Cross station, and then was like, 'Come over here! Oh, Scarlett, hiya!', pretending that I was like with them, and then walked me to my hotel."
Reflecting on the event, an emotional Moffatt added: "I think it’s just hit us how actually scary that was. But I want to say to you, do not post [where you are], you don’t know who’s looking at your stories."
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