Real-life Martha from Baby Reindeer 'going blind' as she blames stress of Netflix lawsuit
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The woman who allegedly inspired the Netflix series Baby Reindeer has said she is going blind.
Fiona Harvey, 59, is currently at the centre of a lawsuit against Netflix. Now, she's been diagnosed with background retinopathy.
She told the Daily Record : "I'm going blind and it's not surprising with the stress I have been under as a result of Baby Reindeer.
"I am diabetic and had always been able to keep my blood sugars under control, but my blood sugars have been wild ever since Richard Gadd's show aired. I am not sleeping properly, I'm not able to eat properly, I'm not able to get proper exercise because I'm virtually a prisoner in my own home."
She received -confirmation of her illness on Thursday, after eye tests at a London hospital. The condition is a complication affecting people with diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
While stage one of the disease doesn't necessarily affect vision, there is a likelihood of developing more significant vision problems. The Record has seen a copy of the letter confirming her diagnosis. It reads: "Dear Dr Fiona Harvey, Your test results show that you do have -background retinopathy."
She is told it is important she manages her health to prevent more serious damage. Harvey said: "It is something that diabetics can get if your sugars are out of control.
"My sugars were fine until Baby Reindeer, that led to all my physical health problems. I don't have money for proper food. I feel it could lead to blindness very quickly in both eyes."
The diagnosis is just one of numerous health issues Harvey claims have arisen since being identified as the inspiration for Baby Reindeer stalker Martha. The mini-series first aired 14 months ago and is billed as a "true story".
It has become one of Netflix's most popular shows. It is also one of the most controversial series in TV history.
Harvey has filed a £132million defamation lawsuit against Netflix, claiming she was easily -identifiable as Martha. Netflix is defending the lawsuit and Gadd's "right to tell his story".
The hearing is likely to be delayed until next year due to a series of appeals and requests for adjournments. At the crux of the claim is that, unlike Martha - who is sent to jail twice - Harvey has no criminal convictions.
She said: "I have no -criminal record. I am not Myra Hindley. I am not Rose West. I'm not Dennis Nilsen. I have not received an indefinite life sentence.
"My life was normal before this started. Mr Gadd has made my life intolerable. I've had to send people out to do the food shopping. I can't have workmen in my house, lest they go off to Netflix."
This month, Gadd, of Wormit, Fife, has been filming his follow-up drama, Half Man, in Glasgow. While Harvey is holed up in a cramped flat in London, she accused Gadd of revelling in his newfound fame.
"At this rate, it's only a matter of time before I will lose my sight," Harvey said.
"I have cataracts as well so I have difficulty typing on a little screen but due to NHS resources they won't operate until you are practically blind.
"I will be stuck on a waiting list and I will go blind. So congratulations Richard Gadd. He can strut around while the rest of us involved in this saga have to suffer."
Netflix has argued in legal papers the alleged defamatory statements are non-actionable because they are "substantially true". Harvey added: "The court case gives Netflix loads and loads of publicity, and they hope I'll withdraw the motion or just die off."
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