THE bizarre double life of a Middlewich businessman who stalked Gladiators' presenter Ulrika Jonsson and TV star Terry Wogan for months before killing himself has been uncovered.

Nicholas Rathbone's campaign of harassment included bombarding them with letters, gifts and even turning up on Ulrika's doorstep.

The 40-year-old managing director, of Inglewood Avenue, was found dead in his fume-filled car after he was arrested for hounding the Swedish star.

His astonished father-in-law discovered the body near to Rathbone's £175,000 detached home, where he lived with his second wife, Nicola.

He was due to appear in court last Thursday under new anti-stalking laws but it was revealed he had committed suicide two weeks ago.

Rathbone, director of a CCTV company in Macclesfield, was described by neighbours as an "intensely quiet man".

Andrew Lynch, of Inglewood Avenue, said: "He was a man who kept himself to himself. He was very quiet.

"I did not really know him except in passing and he would say hello.

"It really shocked me when I found out about what had happened - that he was stalking Ulrika Jonsson.

"I don't think anybody is living at the house at the moment. I haven't a clue where his wife has gone.

"You just don't expect things like this to happen on your doorstep."

Another neighbour added: "I used to walk past and in the front room he would be standing there with a large bottle of brandy watching the world's biggest television."

Rathbone's colleagues at Macclesfield firm, Time, were also deeply shocked by his secret life.

Rathbone sent suggestive letters and flowers to Ulrika, 31, and banged on her front door in Maidenhead, Berkshire, before police were called.

But Terry Wogan only realised himself and Ulrika had the same stalker after reading reports of his suicide.

Rathbone spent years flooding Terry with letters claiming the star was sending him secret messages on his Radio 2 breakfast show

Terry, 60, said he was not surprised to hear that Rathbone had killed himself and spoke of his fears that one day Rathbone would "stick a knife in me or kill somebody".

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