Jeffrey Epstein was believed to have been fixated on an actress after the pair struck up a friendship following his release from prison in 2009. Byker Grove star Donna Air, 46, was mentioned 224 times in the newly released emails from the Epstein files between 2011 and 2012, just a few years after his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Italian hedge fund manager Tancredi Marchiolo reportedly introduced the pair, revealing in correspondence that his "good friend" Air would be in New York.

"Let me know if you want to meet her?" he wrote in an email, which also mentioned three other women whose names have been redacted. "Donna is on the internet. She’s more institutional than these 3. Know her very well," Marchiolo said, to which Epstein responded: "Yes to Donna". Marchiolo followed up: "She will call you from her number tue/wed. I will give her your number. Feel free to call her before then if you want, she is expecting you."

According to The Sun, Air was given Epstein's phone number and they appeared to have met up on more than one occasion. Within the three million newly released Epstein files, the emails show Air and the paedophile trying to make plans to meet up in Paris and New York.

It appears they did meet twice on April 18, 2012, as Epstein sent the email: "Sorry, time was too short."

Air responded: "No worries. Good to meet, have a great week!"

The following afternoon, Epstein said he was "unexpectedly" free that night, leading Air to respond: "I could swing by for a cuppa say 7.45/8 should that work (on my way to dinner which of course you would be very welcome to join)."

The same month, it appears the two were in contact over Skype. Epstein also invited Air to a party at the "US ambassador’s house", but it is unknown if she ever went.

On June 30, Air responded to an email from Epstein with: "Thought of u Just this morning!"

Their final correspondence seemed to be on August 18, when Air told Epstein she was flying to Ibiza.

In February 2013, Air was introduced to Kate Middleton's brother James Middleton by Princess Eugenie. The couple dated for five years before splitting in 2018.

Despite being featured in the Epstein files, there is no indication of any wrongdoing by Air. Sources have claimed that she never agreed to meet Epstein, and that he would instead arrive at events she was attending and get in touch afterwards.

Air rose to fame at a young age, becoming an extra on CBBC’s Byker Grove when she was just 10. She was later cast as Charlie Charlton. The actress was in a relationship with Damian Aspinall from 2000 to 2007 and they share a daughter named Freya together.