Laura Woods Opens Up About Stalking Ordeal and Its Impact

Sports presenter Laura Woods has revealed the profound emotional toll she experienced during a prolonged stalking ordeal that left her feeling “exposed” and “anxious.” The harassment began in 2021 when a Liverpool fan, Harneet Kaur, initiated a campaign of targeted abuse that culminated in Kaur receiving a 14-month prison sentence for her actions.

Woods shared her story with The Daily Telegraph, detailing the extreme lengths to which Kaur went to disrupt her life. The harassment included online threats, unsolicited sexual health kits sent to Woods’ home, and an array of menacing communications. “For three years, she would go to extreme lengths to make my life very uncomfortable,” Woods stated. She recalled receiving birthday cards that ominously declared, “Today’s the day you were born and tonight’s the night you’re going to die.”

The harassment escalated further, with Woods reporting that she received monthly funeral letters, false reports made to animal welfare, and distressing photographs of her home. One particularly alarming incident involved Kaur posting a video featuring a gun at a shooting range in the United States, directed at Woods. “It was just too much, and it changed the way I felt about London,” Woods explained. Living alone with her dog heightened her sense of vulnerability. “I didn’t want to be there any longer. It spun me into quite a bad place. Suddenly I was extremely anxious and low.”

Life Beyond the Ordeal

In her candid discussion, Woods also touched upon her personal life, including her engagement to former Love Island star Adam Collard and the challenges she faced, including a miscarriage before welcoming her 10-month-old son, Leo. Reflecting on her experience with miscarriage, Woods noted the importance of sharing such experiences: “Talking to a lady who’d had three miscarriages, you realise how common it is.”

Collard recently addressed the stalking incident during his appearance on Celebrity SAS, a move 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 explained. Woods underscored the emotional impact of the ordeal on Collard, noting the unique grief associated with losing something that was never physically present but felt deeply significant.

Earlier in December 2023, Woods made headlines when she collapsed live on air while presenting ITV’s pre-match coverage of England’s friendly against Ghana. The incident occurred at St Mary’s Stadium, prompting immediate concern from pundits Ian Wright and Anita Asante, who rushed to assist her. ITV quickly cut to a commercial break, and when coverage resumed, Woods’ role had been taken over by colleague Katie Shanahan, who informed viewers that Woods had been “taken ill.”

Woods’ experiences highlight the severe impacts of stalking and the importance of discussing mental health and vulnerability in the public sphere. As she navigates her career and personal life, Woods continues to advocate for openness regarding difficult topics, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those who endure similar experiences.