Gabrielle Carrington denies murder of Klaudia Zakrzewska in Soho

Gabrielle Carrington, a former X Factor contestant, denied murdering Klaudia Zakrzewska during a hearing at the Old Bailey. The 29-year-old appeared via video link from Bronzefield prison on Friday. She is accused of striking Zakrzewska with a car outside Inca nightclub on Argyll Street, Soho, at 04:30 on 19 April.

Zakrzewska, who was in her 30s and known online as Klaudiaglam, died in hospital six days after the incident. The charge against Carrington was upgraded from attempted murder to murder following her death. The BBC reported that family members of the victims shook their heads as Carrington entered her plea.

Security guard injured in same incident

Anoush Chyche, a security guard in his 50s, was also struck by the vehicle during the incident. The BBC reported that he suffered life-changing injuries. The court heard that Carrington allegedly mounted the pavement after an altercation outside the nightclub, hitting both Zakrzewska and Chyche.

CCTV footage described in court showed Zakrzewska lying under the vehicle after it reversed. Carrington, who has over 365,000 followers on Instagram under the handle RIELLEUK, was visibly emotional during the hearing, wiping tears from her face.

Trial date set for January

Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC confirmed that the trial will begin at the Old Bailey on 5 January 2025. Carrington, who reached the X Factor live finals in 2013 as part of the group Miss Dynamix, was described in court as a social media influencer who frequently travelled to the United Arab Emirates.

The court heard that Carrington had allegedly argued with a man before getting back into her car. The altercation escalated, drawing the attention of security staff, before the vehicle mounted the pavement. The BBC reported that the incident unfolded in front of witnesses outside the nightclub.