'He was warned to leave me and my family alone’: Lorraine Keane on staying safe while in the spotlight

In the wake of the Holly Willoughby kidnap murder plot, concerns have been raised about how those in the public domain navigate security

Lorraine Keane at the opening of her Fashion Relief pre-loved fashion boutique to support Breast Cancer Ireland at the Frascati Centre in Blackrock,Dublin.

Lorraine is a glamorous mum-of-two with a successful career as a TV reporter and presenter, but she admits that being in the spotlight isn’t always plain sailing.

“I’ve had a number of worrying situations over the years,” the fifty-year-old explains.

“Most recently a person came to my house and hung around outside regularly. The internet and social media means it is easier for people to know where you live for example. He also turned up at my Fashion Relief preloved boutique for breast cancer Ireland at Dublin’s Frascati Centre.”

Luckily, Keane says that the issue was dealt with quickly, but that it was unsettling. “The security at the centre were very vigilant so I felt protected and the Gardaí in Blackrock were also very helpful. They were able to find out where the man lived and he was warned to leave me and my family alone. We also increased security at our home,” says Keane.

Social media has brought the idea of accessibility to well-known personalities to the forefront. It was unheard of, even a decade ago, to reach out and interact with celebrities on the scale we are now seeing.

But at what cost?

Threat

In the wake of Holly Willoughby’s alleged kidnap murder plot, the issue of safety and security is hitting headlines. Should more security measures be taken by those who court publicity? To what degree are private lives protected when you have such visibility?

42-year-old Willoughby, who presented the show for fourteen years, announced her departure from This Morning on Instagram after police has warned her about the threat to her safety.

Police explained that a 36-year-old man had been charged with soliciting a man to commit murder and incitement to commit her murder.

“It’s been an honour to just be part of the show’s story" Willoughby posted on her social media after she took leave from the show, "and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much."

On Friday Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, appeared in the court over the alleged plot to kill and murder the ITV star.

High profile 

Other celebrities who have admitted feeling threatened because of their fame include Virgin Media’s Alan Hughes who has talked about how he had to call Gardaí because of a stalker calling to his home.

Further afield, Michael Douglas was involved in an alarming situation when a woman not only stalked the Hollywood star, but declared her intent to hurt his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones. 

In a particularly disturbing letter that the woman had sent to people close to the couple, she talked about wanting to ‘slice Zeta Jones up like meat on a bone’.

Of course, prominent figures are frequently subjected to unwanted and intrusive attention. It's known for coming with the territory. Because of their high profile and because their role requires them to court public affection, celebrities and public figures are at particular risk.

Social media has made such sinister behaviour a lot easier, given the amount of information one can glean from the snippets posted online.

But though there’s always the counter-argument that celebrities bring this unwanted attention upon themselves, or that it was their own fault in some way, everyone is entitled to privacy. 

Charting parts of their lives online should never be an invitation to do harm, intimidate, or frighten.