Waves of fame lap at life of `Titanic' star Winslett

BOTH the glitter and the menace that fame can bring has been experienced by Titanic film star Kate Winslett. While the society jewellers Aspreys produces a dazzling million-pound necklace modelled on one she wore in the film, Scotland Yard confirmed that she had been stalked by a man said to be a freelance photographer, writes Kim Sengupta.

Police arrested a man under the recent Protection From Harassment Act following a complaint from the actress. It is believed to be first time that the law, designed to combat stalkers, has been used against someone claiming to be on a photographic assignment.

Ms Winslett, 21, had called the police after being repeatedly followed in a car as she drove to her north London home with a friend. The friend eventually challenged the driver who said that he was a photographer before running off and abandoning his car. The arrested man was later formally warned about his conduct after being interviewed at Islington police station.

Ms Winslett guards her privacy jealously and was said to be very upset to find herself pictured in a Sunday tabloid kissing actor Rufus Sewell, her co-star in Hamlet. There is no suggestion that the arrested man had taken those pictures. The actress's United States publicist, Robert Garlock, last night denied reports that she had left her flat for a house in south- west London.

Asprey, in the meantime, had carried out an international search for a gem large enough to match the blue centrepiece seen on the screen. The fictitious gem, Le Coeur de la Mer, cast into the sea in the film, is being recreated with a 170-carat Sri Lankan sapphire, and 107 diamonds. It will be sent to Beverley Hills next week to be auctioned on 21 March. The proceeds will go to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, and an Aids charity. The piece will cost around pounds 1m to produce, but it is expected to sell for double that.

It is hoped the buyer will allow the necklace to be worn by Ms Winslett at the Oscar awards, for which Titanic has 14 nominations.