Former X Factor finalist Gabrielle Carrington pleads not guilty to influencer's murder

Gabrielle Carrington, who reached the X Factor live finals in 2013, faced a murder charge after a car she was driving hit TikTok and Instagram influencer Klaudia Zakrzewska outside the Inca nightclub in Soho on 19 April. The incident, occurring at 04:30 BST, escalated from a dispute with a male passerby and involved other bystanders before security intervened. After the vehicle mounted the pavement, Zakrzewska was struck and later died in hospital, while security guard Anoush Chyche suffered life-changing injuries when the car reversed.

Carrington appeared via video link from Bronzefield prison at the Old Bailey, where she pleaded not guilty and was observed wiping away tears. Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC confirmed the case will be tried again on 5 January. The defendant maintains a sizable social-media presence under the handle RIELLEUK.