Boss of Ann Summers relives poisoning horror

Speaking on ITV's Daybreak programme yesterday morning, Ms Gold relived the moment after she consumed soup that her former nanny had laced with screenwash.

"I didn't know it was screenwash, but I knew I had swallowed a chemical," she said.

"First of all, there was this fear: what have I swallowed? Then I suddenly realised that she had my daughter with her. I have to say that was the worst three hours of my life."

Allison Cox was jailed for 12 months on Friday after admitting attempting to poison the lingerie tycoon with screenwash to get Ms Gold's chef, with whom she did not get on, sacked.

The businesswoman said: "First, she spiked my food with salt and I suspected there was something. It didn't seem like over-zealous seasoning. The second time it was sugar and then I knew there was something wrong, because everyone in the household knows I can't eat sugar. Allison and I had a very good relationship. I knew she didn't get on with the cook, but I had no idea it was this bad."

Ms Gold described Cox as "warm and engaging" when she first employed her to look after her daughter, Scarlett, and said her behaviour came as "a complete shock".