Date: 14th March 2003

Natalie Escapes Kidnap Attempt


A terrified Natalie Imbruglia has escaped a bizarre kidnap attempt as she left a chic London restaurant.

The singer's moment of terror came as she stepped out of a West London nightspot and on to a busy city footpath.

A London photographer, who had remained behind to take shots of Imbruglia said he witnessed a mysterious man grab the antipodean star.

A spokesman for the picture agency that snapped the incident said it was unclear if the man had simply been in high spirits or whether it might have been a genuine attempt to abduct Imbruglia.

"We don't think it was a stunt," he said.

However, a spokesman for Scotland Yard said it was unusual for there not to have been any report of the incident given the profile of the star.

Late last night neither Ms Imbruglia nor her fiance Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns could be contacted.

However, it is understood after The Save The Children function she was also photographed leaving the Chinawhite nightclub.

Among other stars to attend the Nobu reception was society girl Tara Parker-Tomkinson, Bill Wyman and Leah Woods, the daughter of Ronnie Woods.

Imbruglia's first brush with stardom came when she played Beth in Neighbours before following the likes of Kylie Minogue and heading to London in pursuit of a career in music.

In 1997 she gained a contract with RCA Records in London, helped by her perceived affinity with the chart-topping feminine angst rock of Alanis Morissette and Meredith Brooks.

Her album, Left of the Middle, sold strongly on the back of the success of her debut single Torn, a massive hit throughout Europe.

The album reached No.10 on the US album chart, and she had subsequent UK hit singles with Big Mistake, Wishing I was There and Smoke.

The much anticipated follow-up to Left of the Middle, White Lillies Island, was released in February 2002.

The album attempted to push Imbruglia into edgier territory on such tracks as That Day and Do You Love?

Imbruglia and long-term boyfriend Johns became engaged at the start of this year.

The singer, who grew up on the Central Coast, recently decided to make Hollywood her base as she pursues her movie career.

She bought a $3.75 million Hollywood mansion overlooking Los Angeles.

The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home is also close to doctors who have been treating Johns for a recurring arthritis condition.

Imbruglia, has lived in Sydney and London, but friends said her move to LA was to make a first serious tilt at an acting career.

The Newcastle jeweller who made Imbruglia's engagement ring said Johns knew he wanted "the Rolls-Royce of diamonds".

The ring is an intricate diamond and platinum affair.

The Daily Telegraph

Source: Press Release