• Published

A former X Factor finalist has denied murdering a social media influencer by running her over with a car in central London.

Gabrielle Carrington, 29, allegedly struck Klaudia Zakrzewska outside Inca nightclub in Argyll Street, Soho, at 04:30 BST on 19 April.

Carrington, of Manchester, was initially charged with attempted murder but that was changed to murder after Ms Zakrzewska died from her injuries six days later.

Carrington appeared at the Old Bailey by video link from Bronzefield prison to deny the charge. Judge Whitehouse confirmed she would try the case at the same court from 5 January.

The defendant, who has more than 365,000 followers on Instagram under the handle RIELLEUK, made it to the X Factor live finals in 2013 as one of the three members of Miss Dynamix.

She is described in court as "social media influencer" who makes regular trips to the United Arab Emirates.

Ms Zakrzewska, who was in her 30s, was a TikTok and Instagram influencer who went by the name Klaudiaglam.

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