KEREN’S AMAZING STALKER STORY IN WOMAN’S OWN

First Features was thrilled to see one its favourite stories in Woman’s Own last month – how Keren Sleigh ended up marrying her stalker!

Keren first approached us with her amazing love story when she and stalker Scott were engaged, and we helped land them an exclusive deal with Pick Me Up magazine. Since then they have appeared in two more publications, alongside beautiful snaps of their 1930s-themed wedding.

They first met at a friend’s birthday in Blackpool back in 1997 and began a relationship which lasted for nine years.

Following the break up however things became difficult as Scott refused to accept it was over. He would leave text messages everyday and at one point even threatened to run away with their daughter Katie, now seven. This obviously had a terrible effect on Keren as she lost weight and felt emotionally shattered.

After leaving the area the harassment ceased and Keren started to get her confidence back. However, believing her daughter would suffer from not having her father in her life Keren, 35, arranged through a solicitor for the two to meet in public accompanied. 

For Katie’s sake Scott and Keren started to meet every fortnight and slowly the trust began to return. Eventually Scott, 47, was allowed to visit Katie at their own home. He explained to Keren that he had acted the way he had through fear of losing Keren and her daughter. The love was rekindled and eventually Scott moved into the Devon family home.

In July 2009 Scott proposed and the two were married on 5 June 2010. Scott says: “I’m just so glad I’ve been given another chance. Marrying Keren was the best moment of my life.”

·         Do you have a unique relationship story? We are always on the lookout for unusual love stories so if you have a story give us a call in confidence on 0207 703 8000 or email us at info@firstfeatures.co.uk. We’ll give you a quick and honest answer!

So Long Ellie And Thanks For Everything

Today we say a sad farewell to Ellie Broughton, who’s been doing work experience at First Features since the beginning of the year. Ellie, 23, who is currently studying at City University, has helped us on some of our big stories this year, writing and interviewing for stories for Chat magazine and That’s Life. She’s also written for our blog, come up with excellent ideas and done the research for some of our toughest assignments.

Editor Katy Weitz says: “Ellie has been a brilliant addition to our team and we’re sad to see her go. But we’re sure that with her excellent writing and interviewing skills she will soon be making a big splash in the journalism world.”

Ellie says: “Work experience in the First Features office has been great. Katy had me talking to clients from day one and my phone interview skills have improved no end. Because the office is so small, I was given the same kind of work as a real First Features reporter. And Katy always took the time to explain the story-writing process, appraise my work and give me advice when I asked for it. I would not hesitate to recommend First Features to anyone who wants hard-working hands-on experience of real-life features!”

Are you a journalism student interested in working for First Features? If you are, send a covering letter and CV to info@firstfeatures.co.uk and tell us why you’d make a great work experience candidate at First Features.

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Are you in a happy relationship but living apart?

First Features is looking for women who are happily married or in serious relationships but have made a conscious decision to live separately from their partners.

Maybe you need your independence and would miss your own space if you lived with your man. Perhaps you think you’d tear each other to shreds if you were together 24/7. Maybe you just want to get away without doing any of his washing!

No matter what the reason is for your living apart, we want to hear about it.

You must be willing to be named and pictured with your partner.

We can pay £150 to successful applicants, so get in touch!

Call 020 7703 8000 or email info@firstfeatures.co.uk

Our ‘Single and Fabulous’ Girl Has a Hoot on Cosmo Shoot!

In late November, we put our girl Ali Morton forward for a glam shoot with Cosmo and she loved every minute.

Ali called to tell us how she’d had a lucky escape when she called off her wedding earlier this year so when Cosmo came to us looking for women to talk about their fabulous single lives, we put her forward.

Within days, Ali was getting paid to be pampered and pose for some gorgeous photographs, which she got to keep at the end!

“It was such an awesome experience,”she says. “It was me and two other girls. We all got dolled up in amazing clothes and shoes and had our hair and make-up done then posed around a vintage car. It was so much fun.”

Ali’s shoot will appear in January’s issue of Cosmo and we can’t wait to see the finished product.

She says: “I’m so glad I did it. The cash was really useful but it was such a confidence boost as well. I can’t wait to see it.”

First Features is often approached by publications looking for people to take part in special photo shoots. If you have a story, visit our website and tell us all about it: www.firstfeatures.co.uk