Former Barworker’s Perspective on Baby Reindeer Controversy
A former barworker at Camden’s Hawley Arms, where Richard Gadd met the ‘real Martha’ Fiona Harvey, claimed she was made into a ‘big joke’ by staff. Netflix’s hit series Baby Reindeer chronicled what it described as the real experiences of comedian Richard Gadd who was stalked by a woman, named Martha (Jessica Gunning) in the series, for over four years. Although since airing it seems that the show has deviated from the truth and its version has been forcefully contested by ‘real life’ Martha who has threatened to sue for defamation.
Allegations of Misogynistic Culture
- One of Richard’s former colleagues speaks out
- Claims of a misogynistic culture among staff
- Turning Fiona into a laughing stock
On the show, the stalking included persistently showing up at his workplace (believed to be the Hawley Arms in Camden), sending upward of 41,000 emails (many sexual in nature), physically assaulting him and threatening his family. After the show exploded in popularity, 58-year-old Scottish lawyer Fiona Harvey claimed she was the ‘real Martha’. She has since appeared on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored in a viral interview where she refuted Richard’s story.
Targeting the Vulnerable
- Former colleague’s perspective on Fiona being targeted
- Male staff’s involvement in the situation
- Impact on Fiona’s well-being
Now, one of Richard’s former colleagues who claims to have worked at the Camden pub during the same period in 2014 has spoken out on the ‘misogynistic culture’ amongst staff who she claims turned Fiona into a laughing stock. The woman, now in her early 30s, told MailOnline that Richard’s portrayal of the stalker ‘didn’t sit right’.
Recounting the Environment
- Details of the uncomfortable environment at the Hawley Arms
- Observations on the treatment of females by staff
- Personal experience of the former colleague
‘It just doesn’t fit in with my perception of working there,’ she explained. ‘There was some underlying joke going on. I feel sorry for her. She was clearly vulnerable and clearly lonely. I think she was targeted as a joke between the male staff members and he led her on for the laughs.
Response from Fiona Harvey
- Fiona’s perspective on the public attention
- Clarification on the events depicted in the show
- Upcoming appearances and reactions from fans
‘She must have got the impression that he fancied her because of this, hence the alleged stalking.’ In the show, the comedian admitted that when Martha first showed up at the pub he pitied her and, on occasion, made fun of her until their relationship took a more sinister turn. She believes Fiona was targeted because she was vulnerable and the male staff ‘thought it was funny.’
There is currently no evidence that Fiona suffers from any mental health problems. The barworker recounted that Fiona was a ‘familiar face’ who was ‘always by herself’ and ‘just looking for human interaction.’
Public Response and Further Interviews
- Fiona’s upcoming podcast appearance
- Concerns from fans about exploitation
- Efforts to reach out for comments
‘The staff would talk about her,’ she said. ‘She was looking for a bit of companionship because there were people to talk to and I think he [Richard] played in on that as a joke and now he’s made loads of money out of it and she’s still being the target of ridicule.
‘I really do think it was all one big joke for their entertainment.’ The former colleague also refuted the scene in the show where Richard (called Donny Dunn in the series) offered Martha a cup of tea, saying ‘there was no tea back then’.
The uncomfortable environment was evident to all who worked there, she continued. ‘There were always jokes about females and people targeting females, trying to sleep with certain people. That was the culture,’ she explained. ‘I was subjected to it as well. It made me feel uncomfortable but you felt like you had to just put up with it in order to get your wages.’
Speaking to Piers about the show, Fiona said that the public attention since the series aired has ‘been horrendous’. ‘It’s a work of fiction, hyperbole, and there are two true facts in that that he’s Richard Gadd and was a jobbing barman,’ she told the TV presenter. She also set the record straight on the cup of tea encounter, saying: ‘He didn’t offer me a cup of tea. I was in for a meal with a drink of Lemonade. I’m diabetic so I was very hungry.’
And responded to the email figure with vehement denial: ‘That’s simply not true. Absolutely not. None of that is true. I don’t think I sent him anything. There may have been a couple of emails.’ She has admitted to tweeting him 18 times and sending him one letter.
Upcoming Podcast Appearance
- Fiona’s upcoming interview on James English’s podcast
- Concerns from fans about her well-being
Fiona will now appear on James English’s podcast Anything Goes although fans have expressed concern at her being ‘exploited’ once more. Metro.co.uk has reached out to the Hawley Arms and Richard Gadd for comment.
