Penny Lancaster becomes London police officer
Penny Lancaster has revealed she is becoming a police officer.
The Loose Women panellist said she was inspired to join the police force after appearing on Channel 4’s Famous and Fighting Crime last year.
In the reality show, Lancaster joined officers from Cambridgeshire Police on the beat and was at one point confronted by a drug dealer who threatened to stab her.
The former model, who is married to Sir Rod Stewart, says she has successfully completed the application process for the role of a special constable and will join the City of London Police once she has completed training after lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Speaking on an Instagram Live chat with her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Ian Waite, Lancaster said: “I did a show called Famous And Fighting Crime where I was involved with the police. It was terrifying, terrifying, but I never felt more comfortable in a position and I felt like this was where I was supposed to be.”
The 49-year-old went on to explain how she had to pass a number of exams and be interviewed by police offers for the position.
“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, so I had to get fit for that, it was the bleep test which was pretty tricky and I passed,” she explained.
“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 that I can actually serve the community.”
She continued: “I'm going to become a police officer for the City Police in London”, before revealing that her parents were “not so keen” about her career change.
Lancaster tied the knot with Stewart in 2007 and the couple have two sons together. Alastair, 14, and nine-year-old Aiden.
Stewart previously admitted that he was concerned about his wife’s safety during her appearance on the reality show, saying: “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.”
Read more
How to support anti-racist organisations in the UK if you can’t donate