Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FIRTH WIFE: I SLEPT WITH MY ‘STALKER’
Livia’s fling during brief separation
COLIN Firth’s wife Livia Giuggioli has admitted she had an affair with the childhood friend she is accusing of stalking her.
Italian film producer Livia, 48, has accused journalist Marco Brancaccia of a “frightening campaign of harassment”.
Livia married Kingsman star Firth in 1997 and they have two sons, Luca, 16, and Matteo, 13.
It has now been revealed that they separated briefly several years ago. And Livia admitted she had a relationship with Brancaccia, 55, during that time.
She says she started receiving threatening texts and calls from Brancaccia after she reunited with Firth, 57. Italian police are investigating the claims.
A spokesman for the couple said: “A few years ago, Colin and Livia privately made the decision to separate. During that time, Livia briefly became involved with former friend Mr Brancaccia.
“The Firths have since reunited. Subsequently, Mr Brancaccia carried out a frightening campaign of harassment over several months,” they added.
Brancaccia is also accused of threatening to write compro- mising articles about the couple and emailing photos to Firth, who alerted Italian prosecutors.
Brancaccia denied the allegations, saying they are an attempt to cover up their affair, which allegedly took place from 2015-16. He says he sent just two Whatsapp texts and one email after Livia left him in June 2016.
His lawyers say he had “absolutely nothing to do with the events described and has already filed a legal complaint to protect his good name and his honour”.
If found guilty, Brancaccia could face up to four years in jail.