Woman Jailed 18 Months for Stalking EastEnders Actress Ellie Dadd

Cora Upple, 21, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stalking EastEnders actress Ellie Dadd. Judge Lee Harris warned that further actions could result in more jail time. Upple developed an obsession with Dadd, who plays Amy Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera. In 2023, Upple sent hundreds of social media messages and tagged the actress in multiple stories.

The actress, Ellie Dadd, felt threatened and sought police help, requesting that the harassment stop. Initially, Upple received a five-year restraining order. This case highlights the impact of online harassment and the seriousness with which such behavior is treated, especially when directed at public figures.

In November 2024, the restraining order was updated with tighter conditions due to further stalking. Upple was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 15 months by magistrates. Subsequently, Upple targeted Ellie's mother, Nicole Gibberd, on social media. In May 2025, Upple sent a friend request to Nicole, which was reported to the police; a month later, she used another account to follow Nicole's Instagram account.

Upon arrest, Upple claimed that the friend request was an accident, but later alleged that her actions were impulsive and that she was seeking to apologize. Judge Harris emphasized the seriousness of Upple's actions and the impact on the actress's family.

Judge Lee Harris, during sentencing, decided not to read the victim impact statement in court, fearing it might provide some level of satisfaction to Upple. The judge also expressed his belief that Upple, considered at high risk of causing harm by the probation service, could reoffend, so he deemed the prison sentence appropriate. Judge Harris told Upple directly: “You are obsessed with Ellie Dadd, an actress in EastEnders.”

“Because of your obsession, a restraining order was granted against you in 2023. You breached that in 2024, and a further restraining order was issued which extended the scope of the original order. You also received a suspended sentence order.”

Judge Harris warned Upple about the consequences of continuing her behavior, emphasizing that Ellie Dadd would not be her friend and that she needed to accept that reality. “Your behavior is deeply scary for those who are subjected to it, especially when there is repeat offending and they feel they cannot get rid of it.” Upple was sentenced to 63 weeks in prison for the restraining order breaches and an additional consecutive 18 weeks for the SSO breach. The existing restraining order was also extended until March 2031.

Investigating officer PC Sophie Lawrie said: “Upple has targeted her victim for years, repeatedly contacting and harassing her and her family through multiple different social media profiles.”

PC Sophie Lawrie added that Upple's repeated and unwanted behavior has had an untold effect on her victim, and they hope this outcome will enable her to move on with her life without the fear of being contacted again. Police urge anyone who feels they are being targeted to come forward and report it. Metro has contacted Ellie Dadd's representative for comment.