A MAN from Basingstoke has admitted to stalking television presenter Fern Britton after driving 200 miles to stay in her holiday cottage and sending her flowers.

James Haviland, from Great Oaks Chase, in Chineham, pleaded guilty on May 2 to stalking Ms Britton at her home in Cornwall.

The 63-year-old admitted to stalking the former This Morning presenter for almost two years between November, 2021 and September 2023.

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Basingstoke Gazette: Fern Britton was stalked by a man from BasingstokeHaviland initially sent unwanted flowers to Ms Britton before travelling to stay in the village where she lives on numerous occasions throughout 2022, then sending more flowers and cards.

According to national media, Haviland also spent a week in September 2023 renting the holiday cottage Ms Britton owns and tried to book again in November before being reported to police.

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Haviland appeared at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court via video link where he admitted stalking without fear, alarm or distress.

He will be sentenced at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on June 18.

Ms Britton, 66, a mum-of-four who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and is also an author, moved to her home in Cornwall in 2020 following her split from TV chef husband Phil Vickery after 20 years of marriage.