London's Phone Snatching Crisis Reaches Celebrities
Television personality Alexa Chung has become the latest high-profile victim of London's escalating phone theft epidemic, revealing she physically fought to keep hold of her mobile during an attempted robbery in the city's East End. The 42-year-old presenter, who was famously replaced by Holly Willoughby as Marks & Spencer's brand ambassador, described the terrifying encounter that saw her targeted by a thief in what she describes as "increasingly lawless London" under Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan's leadership.
Celebrity Victims Speak Out
Chung's experience is far from isolated, with numerous well-known figures falling victim to similar crimes across the capital. Former tennis champion Annabel Croft had her device stolen "clean out of her hands" by a bicycle-mounted thief outside King's Cross station. In March, socialite Lady Victoria Hervey reported being left deeply shaken after an e-bike rider snatched her phone in the Pimlico area.
Even veteran actress Susan Hampshire hasn't been spared, with the 87-year-old Monarch of the Glen star revealing she was robbed on the Tube earlier this year. Perhaps most disturbingly, former Bond girl Rosamund Pike recalled experiencing "15 minutes of hell" when she was punched in the face during a violent phone snatching incident.
Alexa Chung's Defiant Stand
What sets Chung's experience apart is her determined resistance. "Someone tried to nick one off me the other day, but I refused to let them have it," the presenter revealed during an appearance on Isaac Hindin-Miller's podcast. Her determination to keep hold of the device stemmed from being engrossed in what she describes as a "really fascinating" group conversation at the time of the attack.
Chung described her immediate reaction: "I literally tight-gripped it and was like, 'F*** you!'" - a defiant response that highlights the growing frustration among Londoners dealing with this crime wave. Her experience underscores the brazen nature of these thefts, which are occurring with increasing frequency across the city.
Other Celebrity News Highlights
Strictly Come Dancing Secrets Revealed
Meanwhile, in lighter entertainment news, Camilla Kerslake, wife of former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, has revealed the surprising secret behind audience members' apparent enjoyment during lengthy Strictly Come Dancing recordings. "You're there for hours and hours and hours," she confessed at the Ivors Classical Awards at BFI Southbank. "There's a bar you just raided, you get so stressed."
The soprano singer admitted that spectators' television appearance of having "such a good time" often stems from alcohol consumption, stating plainly: "Yes, because I was drunk." Her husband Chris Robshaw was the third contestant eliminated from the current series of the popular dancing competition.
Royal and Entertainment Updates
In other developments, King Charles has given a Buddha statue pride of place at Sandringham, constructing a pagoda-style pavilion around The Laughing Buddha - a piece originally given to Edward VII by his friend Admiral Sir Henry Keppel. This move echoes the monarch's previously expressed interest in being a defender of faiths in general rather than solely the Christian faith.
Actress Keira Knightley has discovered a surprising alternative career path, celebrating her 40th birthday by completing a metal-working course in Wales. "I wanted to do something a bit strange," she explained, noting how a chef friend inspired her visit to a specialist knife maker. "I went and made my own and it was amazing. I really enjoyed it."
Les Misérables star Samantha Barks, preparing for cathedral performances across the UK, revealed she took inspiration from the Princess of Wales after singing at Catherine's "Together At Christmas" event at Westminster Abbey. The 35-year-old singer noted how the experience made her appreciate "the intimacy of cathedral spaces" despite their grandeur.
Finally, former Top Gear presenter James May admitted to delaying retirement from television, confessing to "a bit of neediness" and "a craving for relevance." The 62-year-old, returning with James May's Shed Load Of Ideas, acknowledged his enjoyment of programme-making while reflecting on his motivations for remaining in the public eye.
