TV historian Neil Oliver has revealed how he felt sorry for a woman accused of stalking him for seven months.
The Coast presenter said he never felt threatened by Anna Ohberg, who was thrown out of Scotland after she bombarded him with pictures and letters claiming they should be together.
The married BBC star, who has an army of loyal female fans who call him Dr NO thanks to his initials and archaeology degrees, said police were more concerned than he was.
Oliver, 51, on a nationwide tour with his new book, said: “That was so unusual and so unlikely. When I saw the woman, I was only sorry for her.
“She was instantly identifiable as a lonely person who had got a bit carried away with her enthusiasm for being interested in me.
“She sent me a huge amount of stuff – letters, which I only read some of, and CDs and DVDs – and I don’t know what was on any of them.
“In her letters, she said she was hearing voices and having dreams that were suggesting we should be together. Nothing threatening, just sad, really.”
Oliver, who lives in Stirling with his wife Trudi and three children, said he only called police because Swede Ohberg turned up at book signings in Glasgow and Edinburgh after flying from Stockholm. He added: “I didn’t know who she was. For a long time, it was just stuff coming. I thought, ‘What if she turned up when I wasn’t at home?’
“Then she turned up at a few events where I was publicising a book and tried to give me gifts. She got upset when I didn’t welcome her and sit down with her.
“I let the police know and they were alarmed on my behalf. She took things too far and both of us stumbled into the legal process.”
Stirling Sheriff Court ordered the 52-year-old back to Sweden but did not pursue charges against her. Oliver, who has presented shows such as Vikings and History Of Scotland, said the incidents in 2015 had not put him off meeting fans.
He will be promoting his latest book, The Story Of The British Isles In 100 Places, at venues in Scotland next month.
Oliver said: “Every single person who’s come up after the show to buy the book or have something signed has just been a treat.”
The historian was forced off social media by trolls who called him a traitor after he questioned the 2014
independence referendum.
But he said nosiness made him return to Twitter earlier this year. He added: “My mum always used to say, ‘Eavesdroppers never hear good about themselves.’ There were unpleasant tweets and certain things were said.
“Rather than debating, we’re now in a climate where whole points of view are just silenced. I think that’s poisonous.
“I’m not a political person. That’s one of the ironies of the whole situation.
“I’m not a card-carrying member of any political party and never have been.”
Oliver’s next BBC shows – Scots In China and The Rise Of The Clans – will be screened next year.
He revealed he had turned down approaches to appear on reality shows but would be tempted by one offer.
The historian added: “Over the years, I’ve been asked to do I’m A Celebrity… and Strictly.
“I watch Strictly with my kids and we love it but I know in my heart I can’t dance.
“I wouldn’t put my children through the humiliation of watching me do it.
“And I’ve got no inclination to go on I’m A Celebrity… But I’d never say never.
“I’d be more inclined to do MasterChef as I’d have half a chance of not being a complete disgrace on there.”
