LEGAL THREAT
Baby Reindeer’s ‘real-life stalker’ Fiona Harvey in talks with lawyer as Netflix warned it may have ‘big legal problem’
Watch 'real-life' Martha's interview with Piers Morgan
THE real-life inspiration for Baby Reindeer's stalker character 'Martha' is now seeking legal advice, it has emerged.
Fiona Harvey, who opened up about her experience in an interview with Piers Morgan last week, is now speaking with a barrister who previously acted for footballer Ryan Giggs.
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The Netflix hit show Baby Reindeer depicts comedian Donny Dunn - played by writer Richard Gadd, 34 - being pursued by obsessive stalker Martha Scott, played by Jessica Gunning, 38.
The programme, which had 13.3 million viewers tuning in during its first week, depicts 'Martha' being jailed after accepting guilt for stalking.
But lawyer Chris Daw KC told : “Netflix has sold Baby Reindeer as a ‘true story’… ‘Martha’ was portrayed as a convicted stalker, who was sent to prison for serious crimes.
"She states that she has never been convicted of any crime and has never been to prison.
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"If that turns out to be true, Netflix and Richard Gadd will have a very big legal problem.”
Mr Daw had previously defended Giggs when he was cleared last year over claims he assaulted his ex-girlfriend and her sister.
Speaking to Piers Morgan last week, Fiona, 58, accused Gadd of “making money out of untrue facts” - and denied she’d ever watched Baby Reindeer.
Fiona has described Gadd’s account as a “work of fiction” and “hyperbole”.
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She denied being a stalker and widely disputed the events depicted in the Netflix mini-series.
Fiona says that she has no criminal convictions and has never been to prison, despite 'Martha' being jailed in the TV show.
Moment 'alarm bells went off' for Piers Morgan during bombshell interview with 'real Baby Reindeer stalker' Fiona Harvey
After the interview aired, fans were quick to note five key facts which Fiona had disputed in the Netflix show plotline.
On a recent episode of Lorraine, Piers also suggested Netflix may have "lied" about Fiona.
He said that Netflix claiming that the show "is a true story" could be problematic.
Piers told anchor Lorraine Kelly: "She has a right to have her say and was happy to come on the show, I tried to be very fair and balanced and tried to get to the truth.
"I think she lied in the interview but is she a convicted stalker?
"The key point is, if she isn't, then the Netflix claim at the start of every episode saying 'this is a true story' becomes problematic.
"Have they defamed her? If you accuse someone of being a convicted stalker and they are not, that is a pretty serious claim to make.
"I think they've got problems here because she clearly is determined to have her day in court with Netflix."
The news comes as Richard Gadd blasted deluded Baby Reindeer sleuths who claim characters are based on them despite him having never met them before.
Baby Reindeer by numbers
The Netflix series has become quite the breakout smash hit...
- 7 Number of episodes in the series
- 30 Number of countries the series has topped the Netflix chart in
- 64 Percentage increase in viewers the show earned in its second week, compared to its first
- 97 The show's percentage score on industry bible Rotten Tomatoes
- 41,071 Amount of emails Richard claims he was sent by the real life Martha
- 13.3 million Number of viewers who tuned into the show during its first week
Fans were quick to track down Fiona Harvey and identify her as the inspiration behind the obsessive stalker after Baby Reindeer launched last month.
Gadd, speaking before the exclusive with Piers Morgan, said that he didn't want to talk anymore about speculation swirling around the show's real life counterparts.
He told : “I don’t think I’ll ever comment on it ever again.”
The comedian continued: "The Internet’s always going to do its thing. I can’t really comment on that.
"There was a video the other day someone had sent me of someone claiming to be [one of the show's characters] Teri.
"I’d never met them before in my life. The internet just does this thing and I just have to let it do its thing. And that’s that."
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It also comes after a bar in Coventry was slammed as a "disgrace"; after booking Fiona for a PA.
Coventry bar Kasbah stunned fans as it uploaded an image of the star, 58, to social media announcing she would be at the venue on Saturday, May 18.
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