Swiftie frenzy as Taylor prepares for Wembley return

By Sarah Tetteh, Showbizmama, for the South London Press

As London braces itself for the return of Taylor Swift, there will be mixed feelings to say the least.

While her die-hard fans – let’s face it, most of the nation – will be jubilant about the arrival of the pop superstar, it would be fair to say concerns for the safety of concert-goers will be at the forefront, certainly of many parents’ minds, as their little ones hastily pack on their glitter and cow-girl hats, ready to Shake It Off, at what should be the concert of a lifetime.

It comes after an alleged planned terrorist attack at the Eras tour in Vienna, Austria, earlier this month.

It brings back memories from the horrific Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, and the lessons which need to be learned from the heart-breaking event that led to multiple deaths.

However, at least we have been assured London’s Met are set to step things up ahead of Taylor’s return to Wembley, which is sure to be another triumph.

Ahead of her London shows, which kicked off on August 15, the 34-year-old star has reportedly been given strict “presidential level” security to safeguard the well-being of herself, her dancers and her touring crew. It is claimed that counter-terrorism security has been put in place ahead of her London shows.

The Met told CBS News on Tuesday that so far there had not been any threats that would prevent the concerts from going ahead in the British capital.

The Met statement said: “London plays host to a significant number of very high profile events each year with millions of visitors having a safe and enjoyable experience.

“The Met works closely with venue security teams and other partners to ensure there are appropriate security and policing plans in place.

“There is nothing to indicate that the matters being investigated by the Austrian authorities will have an impact on upcoming events here in London.

“As always, we will continue to keep any new information under careful review.”

The Bad Blood singer brings the second UK leg of her record-breaking Eras World tour this weekend.

To celebrate her arrival, I’ve unearthed one of my very first interviews with the star – from way back to her Love Story days when she came to the UK for her ground-breaking Speak Now tour back in 2011.

As one of the first writers to interview her for the world famous 3am column at the Mirror, the sprightly young star, whose Fearless album had put her on the map, already knew the secret of writing great music. Heartbreak. And she has carried it right through to today, making her one of the world’s biggest selling artists.

Back in the day, Taylor was being wooed by Hollywood’s Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas and Taylor Lautner to name but a few.

Even back then, Taylor warned that if anyone hurt her, she’d get her own back. Go, girl!

The stunning then 21-year-old told me after the first UK night of her fab Speak Now tour in Birmingham: “My favourite songs are about love and break-ups.

“I love getting revenge after a bad break-up. The best way to get your own back is to write about how mean they are.

“Another way is to stop taking their phone calls, and burn their pictures.”

Taylor was hot stuff at the LG Arena, with her enchanting fairytale set – a perfect mix of girly anthems in her sparkly princess ball gown for Love Story and 15. Then she switched it up with her hit Better Than Revenge.

Now fast forward 13 years, and Taylor is still writing about her exes. Love it!

Taylor’s 11th studio album, Tortured Poets Department, is another delve into her relationship history, with fans speculating it must be ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

Seeing him go into the pub in question on an app on her phone, she said: “I am someone who until recent events you shared your secrets with and your location.

“You forgot to turn it off. And so I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog.”

The South London Press’s Claudia Lee reported how that name-check for The Black Dog pub, made the little known Vauxhall pub world famous.

Lily Bottomley, 24, from S C Soho, the hospitality group that owns the Black Dog, has opened up about Taylor’s track. In a chat with the South London Press, she gave the biggest hint yet that her ex Joe Alwyn was the subject of the track, saying: “We know the song is about one of her ex-boyfriends and without giving too much away, I will say we have had a certain blonde regular in a few times.”

Pictured top: Taylor Swift (Picture: PA)