Idris Elba and his wife have reportedly been targeted by a stalker.

The Luther actor and his spouse Sabrina, 36, have received "distressing" messages to their personal email accounts, while the unnamed woman has also turned up at private events in London which they were attending separately on different days.

The couple are said to have been targeted since September and as recently as 21 October and it is believed police have been informed.

A source told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "These events were seriously distressing for Idris and his family.

"He had no choice but to report it to the authorities because it had gone too far.

"When Sabrina was brought into it, that was clearly the final straw for him. He did what he felt he had to do to protect his wife, and his family."

Meanwhile, Idris, 53, recently insisted he has no plans to enter politics because he doesn't "have the courage".

Speaking to journalists at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, he explained: "I think you have to give it to people that enter politics - the life cycle and going on an educative curve to become a politician means that you have to adopt that courage really early because then you're faced with these impossible predicaments.

"It's about your judgement then; it's about what you know, what you've learned, what you've lived through, and your courage. So I learned I don't have the courage to be in politics, that's for sure!"

His denial came after the House of Dynamite star - who was born and raised in London - was previously touted as a potential candidate for the Labour party at the next mayoral election, which is likely to be held in 2028 as current mayor Sadiq Khan is expected not to run again.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Idris has star appeal - but he is also a thoughtful political campaigner. Labour have a choice about who we choose to run in London.

"We can pick a Labour insider and try to make them famous. Or we can pick someone famous aligned with Labour. Idris would be at the absolute top of our wish list."

Another insider added: "Idris is a long shot - but some in the party have talked about him."

Idris has previously won praise for fronting the Don't Stop Your Future campaign to tackle knife crime in his hometown.