A woman believed to be the housekeeper of fitness guru Richard Simmons has been photographed carrying a £1,270 Louis Vuitton handbag while running errands, amid allegations she is holding him hostage in his own home.
Teresa Reveles was seen leaving Simmons' Los Angeles mansion in a Range Rover to go to a local store. When questioned by reporters about the 67-year-old, she refused to comment on why he has not been seen in public for two years.
The claims emerged after the New York Daily News reported that Simmons is effectively being kept like a prisoner. However, Simmons gave phone interviews to Entertainment Tonight and the Today Show, dismissing the rumours as 'very silly'. He said: 'No one is holding me in my house as a hostage.'
Simmons explained he has been taking time to rest after decades of travelling and teaching exercise classes, and has had trouble with his knees. He added: 'I just sort of wanted to be a loner for a while.'
Police visited Simmons' home last year to investigate an elder abuse claim but reported he was fine and wanted to be left alone. Simmons showed officers an address book of people he still contacts daily.
