A 71‑year‑old man admitted to stalking actress Anna Friel for nearly three years and awaits sentencing in September

A chilling chapter is unfolding in the quiet streets of Windsor as Phil Appleton, aged 71, stands remorseful yet firmly in the grip of legal reckoning. Over nearly three years—from January 2022 to December 2024—Appleton bombarded actress Anna Friel with persistent messages, unwanted gifts, and uninvited home visits. He has now pleaded guilty to stalking under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Reading Crown Court had been lined up for a trial, but Appleton’s guilty plea pulled the plug on that path. He will not take the stand—Anna Friel, who rose to fame as Brookside’s Beth Jordache and earned international acclaim in Marcella, will be spared the trauma of giving evidence.

Under conditions designed to safeguard Friel, Judge Alan Blake adjourned sentencing until 18 September, pending a pre‑sentence psychiatric report. The court heard Appleton has spent more than five months behind bars and inside a psychiatric facility, where experts diagnosed him with bipolar disorder and erotomania—a delusion that another person harbours romantic feelings toward the afflicted.

Released on conditional bail, Appleton must remain at a relative’s home in Suffolk. The judge rejected his bid to live in France. Appleton has agreed to a lifelong restraining order: he must avoid any contact with Friel and one of her family members and stay clear of her area. His movements will be tracked by an electronic tag.

In court, Judge Blake emphasised that Appleton lacks a full appreciation of the emotional distress his actions caused. He underscored the necessity of “consistent treatment” to reduce future risks, particularly since Appleton has previously resisted accepting his illness and taking medication.

While the criminal spotlight now turns to Appleton, Anna Friel’s reputation remains untarnished. This unfolding case serves as a stark reminder of the deep emotional toll stalking inflicts—especially when it targets a public figure like Friel, who has recently earned praise for her performance in Unforgivable.

For now, Appleton awaits his September sentencing. Whether psychiatric treatment and the new restraining order can genuinely help contain his dangerous obsession remains an open question.