BBC security chiefs on high alert after Vanessa Feltz receives sick beheading threat
Controversial Radio 2 star given a team of escorts and been asked to notify staff whenever she leaves the building
BBC chiefs have stepped up security after a chilling threat to behead controversial radio presenter Vanessa Feltz.
The 54-year-old, who hosts shows on Radio London and Radio 2, has been given a team of escorts and been asked to notify staff whenever she leaves the building.
A security source said: “Any form of death threat is frightening for the target, but the threats made to Vanessa were especially vile.
“One even threatened to behead her. They were in emails and were taken very seriously from the start.
“Vanessa is now being escorted by security staff, and she has to let the right people know every time she leaves the office.
“The entire security team has been made aware of what has happened. She is happy the best efforts are being made to keep her safe.
“But it has been very difficult for her to cope with, and she is shaken. When she has been seen around the building she has looked very, very stressed.”
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Mum-of-two Vanessa, whose partner is singer-songwriter Ben Ofoedu, joined the BBC radio team in 2011.
She has made a name for herself as one of the most outspoken hosts on the airwaves and has waded into a series of hot political debates.
In 2014 she faced a violent backlash after revealing sex attacker Rolf Harris had assaulted her during a live TV interview in 1996.
The same year saw her accused of trying to “create an agenda” between Sikhs and Muslims during a debate about halal meat.
In 2015, she was the target of more criticism after saying she wanted to breastfeed her newborn grandson.
And this year the Jewish star was at the centre of a storm after Ken Livingstone claimed in an interview with her that Hitler supported Zionism.
A spokeswoman from the BBC and a spokesman for Vanessa Feltz last night declined to comment.