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Fiona Harvey, Piers Morgan, Jessica Gunning as Martha split image© Instagram/Netflix

Baby Reindeer's 'real Martha' criticises Piers Morgan after interview

Lawyer Fiona Harvey said she felt 'used' by the broadcaster

Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
May 10, 2024
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The woman who allegedly inspired the character of Martha in Netflix's hit drama Baby Reindeer has criticised Piers Morgan after he interviewed her this week. 

Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey appeared on Piers' YouTube show Uncensored to "set the record straight" about allegations depicted in the Netflix drama. 

In the series written by and starring comedian Richard Gadd, his character Donny Dunn is relentlessly stalked by a middle-aged woman named Martha, who becomes obsessed with him after he offers her a free cup of tea during a pub shift. 

Fiona Harvey appeared on Piers Morgan's Youtube show
Fiona Harvey appeared on Piers Morgan's Youtube show

During her interview with Piers, Fiona described the drama as a "work of fiction" and "hyperbole", denying claims that she stalked the comedian, attacked his girlfriend and sent him 41,000 emails, hundreds of voice messages and 106 letters. 

Fiona has now revealed she felt "used" by Piers, who she said placed "a heavy emphasis" on the amount of emails she allegedly sent to Richard. 

Jessica Gunning as Martha in Baby Reindeer© Ed Miller/Netflix
Jessica Gunning portrays Martha in Baby Reindeer

"There was a heavy emphasis from Piers Morgan on Gadd and the emails I am supposed to have sent," she told the Daily Record

"I have my own thoughts on it that I'd like to keep to myself but I wouldn't say I was happy. It was very rapid to try to trip me up. He did it fast-paced to catch me off guard," she continued. 

Richard Gadd in Baby Reindeer© Ed Miller/Netflix
Richard Gadd wrote and starred in Baby Reindeer

"It seemed to me that I was set up. I feel a bit used."

After its release in April, Baby Reindeer became a word-of-mouth hit and has reached almost 60 million views in its first month, putting it on track to become one of Netflix's most popular shows of all time. 

Some viewers of the show attempted to track down the identities of the people who inspired some of the show's characters, prompting Richard to issue a statement urging fans to stop speculation.

Baby Reindeer: Martha's obsession in numbers

Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn and Jessica Gunning as Martha in Baby Reindeer© Ed Miller/Netflix
Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn and Jessica Gunning as Martha in Baby Reindeer

Richard Gadd has been vocal about his stalker, named 'Martha' in the show, and just how many messages, voicemails,  tweets and emails he received from her before contact was cut off. It included: 

  • 41,000 emails 
  • 744 tweets
  • 100 pages of letters
  • 350 hours of voicemails 

"Hi everyone, people I love, have worked with, and admire … are unfairly getting caught up in speculation," penned the actor. "Please don’t speculate on who any of the real life people could be. That's not the point of our show."

Richard Gadd's Instagram statement© @mrrichardgadd/Instagram
Richard urged fans to stop speculation in an Instagram statement

Whilst speaking to Piers, Fiona, who said she had not watched Baby Reindeer, claimed she met Richard at a pub in London "five or six" times. 

She also revealed that she had received death threats online. "On the internet, sleuths tracked me down and hounded me and gave me death threats," she said. "So it wasn't really a choice. I was forced into this situation."

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