Penny Lancaster joins the police: Sir Rod Stewart’s wife signs up as special constable after loving stint in uniform on reality show Famous and Fighting Crime
- The Loose Women panelist worked with Cambridgeshire Police on TV last year
- A drug dealer threatened to stab her in an experience she admits was ‘terrifying’
- But the former model will join up with City of London Police once lockdown ends
Penny Lancaster, who joined police on the beat in a TV documentary last year, is now set to become an officer for real.
The Loose Women panelist signed up to become a special constable after taking part in Channel 4’s Famous and Fighting Crime, where she was seen working with officers from Cambridgeshire Police.
In a ‘terrifying’ experience during filming, she was at one point confronted by a drug dealer who threatened to stab her.
Penny Lancaster, pictured in uniform, trained with the police for Famous and Fighting Crime and is now set to become an officer for real
She was one of five well-known rookies being given the chance to see what it’s like to be in the police
Special Constable Penny (pictured giving comfort to a member of the public) said she ‘never felt more comfortable in a position’
Penny, 49, who is married to Sir Rod Stewart, pictured together, will join the City of London Police after undergoing training once lockdown restrictions are lifted
Despite the scare, however, the former model took so much from her stint in uniform that she has now successfully completed the application process for the part-time role.
Penny, 49, who is married to Sir Rod Stewart, will join the City of London Police after undergoing training once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
She said: ‘I did a show called Famous and Fighting Crime where I was involved with the police.
‘It was terrifying but I never felt more comfortable in a position and I felt like this is where I was supposed to be.
‘I have signed up to be an officer.
‘I had to sit exams, English and maths type of exams, and go for an interview with two officers. And then I did a fitness test which was the bleep test which was pretty tricky so I had to get fit for that and I passed.
‘Then I had to do this massive vetting form going through all personal details of myself, my family, people I know and all that kind of thing.
‘So now I’m waiting for the training to begin so I can serve the community.
‘I’m going to become a police officer for the City Police in London.’
Penny, pictured far right, appeared on the show alongside, left to right, comedian Marcus Brigstocke, Gogglebox star Sandi Bogle, TV presenter Katie Piper and Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing
The mother-of-two, who married Sir Rod in 2007, said the experience made her realise how underfunded the police are.
Both her husband and her parents have admitted concerns about her joining the force, but Penny, speaking on an Instagram Live chat with her former Strictly Come Dancing partner, Ian Waite, is determined to take on the challenge.
She added: ‘My mum and dad are not so keen on the idea but I can’t wait.
‘I feel sorry for the police right now because they really, really have their work cut out for them trying to create social distancing while trying to arrest someone.’
Speaking previously, Sir Rod, 75, said: ‘No one’s ever been able to stop Penny if she’s decided she wants to do something. And I’m always behind her all the way.
‘But am I scared for her? Yes, a little. Did you see that drug addict who threatened to stab her with a needle on the TV show?
‘As long as she’s accompanied at all times by another constable, she’ll be okay.’
How Penny helped bring a violent groom to justice on the show
As part of the show, Penny interviewed a groom, who started an attack at his own wedding reception which left a man with a fractured jaw.
The victim had been at a comedy club night at the Cresset, in Peterborough, with his partner who was then invited by her friend to the wedding reception of Luke Stone, of Goodwood Road in Bretton, Peterborough.
The victim had entered the function room to the wedding reception, held in the same building, and was stood with his partner when the groom walked over and punched him in the face.
The man was immediately punched for a second time by the groom’s brother Joshua, of Kirkmeadow in Bretton, Peterborough, causing him to fall to the floor unconscious.
Penny Lancaster (centre) interviews Joshua Stone as part of the Channel 4 documentary
Staff at the Cresset Theatre placed the victim in the recovery position while they waited for police and paramedics. Both defendants left the scene before officers arrived.
The victim was taken to hospital with a fractured jaw. The assault was caught on CCTV and the defendants were arrested and interviewed the following day.
In police interview, with DC Sam Delmer and celebrity Penny, Luke Stone claimed he punched the victim because he feared being assaulted by the man himself.
He claimed he wouldn’t wish serious injury on anyone, but added that if he could say anything to the victim he would say ‘don’t gate-crash parties’.
The defendant admitted it was him in the CCTV footage and said in hindsight he should have got a staff member to ask the victim to leave the party.
In his police interview, Joshua Stone said he had been drinking all evening and admitted things had got ‘messy’.
He accepted punching the victim but said he believed it was just a ‘warning jab’ and didn’t mean to hit the man so hard.
The defendant watched the CCTV footage and showed remorse for what he had done. He said he wanted to protect his family and would have resolved the issue in ‘a more civilised manner’ if he hadn’t been drinking.
Luke Stone previously pleaded guilty to common assault, while Joshua Stone previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.
Joshua Stone was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim.
Luke Stone was handed a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £500 in compensation.