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Fiona Harvey, who is the inspiration behind Martha from Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, has claimed she’s going blind due to the mounting stress from the series

Fiona Harvey, the inspiration behind Martha from Baby Reindeer, has said she’s going blind. The Scot who inspired the character in Richard Gadd’s series is currently embroiled in a multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuit with streaming giant Netflix.

But the 59-year-old law graduate has said the stress surrounding the Netflix series has caused her so much stress, which she has linked to her diagnosis of background retinopathy. “I’m going blind, and it’s not surprising with the stress I have been under as a result of Baby Reindeer,” she said.

In a new interview, Fiona said: “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.” She says that since the series, which has racked up countless awards, aired, she has not been able to sleep or eat properly.

“I’m not able to get proper exercise because I’m virtually a prisoner in my own home,” she said. Fiona received a confirmation letter from a hospital on Thursday after undergoing eye tests at a London hospital. The condition is a complication which affects people with diabetes.

It happens when high blood sugar levels damage light-sensitive tissues at the back of the eye. Although stage one of the condition doesn’t always affect vision, there is a likelihood that it could lead to significant vision loss. Speaking to the Daily Record, Fiona 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.” A letter from a doctor, seen by the publication, reads: “Dear Dr Fiona Harvey, Your test results show that you do have ­background retinopathy.” The letter also states that Fiona needs to manage her health in order to prevent any further damage.

The series, which aired over a year ago, has seen Fiona identify herself as the woman who allegedly stalked Gadd while he was working in London. The series was billed as a “true story,” which showed the character, Martha, following him to his home, his workplace at The Hawley Arms in Camden and various other locations.

But since its release, it has become quite controversial. Harvey has filed a £132 million defamation lawsuit against the streaming giant that released the series, claiming she was easily identifiable as Martha. Netflix have defended the lawsuit and Mr Gadd’s “right to tell his story.”

The hearing is said to be delayed until next year due to a series of appeals, as well as requests for adjournments. In the series, Martha was sent to jail twice, but Ms Harvey has no criminal convictions. She told the Record: “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.” Now living in a “cramped” flat in London, she says: “At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before I will lose my sight.

“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.”

While Ms Harvey states she has been defamed in the series, Netflix have said the alleged defamatory statements are non-actionable as they are “substantially true.” Harvey fumed: “The court case gives Netflix loads and loads of publicity, and they hope I’ll withdraw the motion or just die off.”

Love Island star Rosie Seabrook has confirmed she is in a new relationship following her devastating year and rocky romance with Casey O’Gorman on the dating show

Love Island’s Rosie Seabrook has revealed she is no longer single and shared a loved-up snap with her new man. The reality TV star, 26, tried her luck at love on season nine of the hit ITV2 dating show, where she coupled up with Casey O’Gorman.

Since leaving the show, Rosie has had a tough time with the death of her dad. Fans have continued to support Rosie and wish her the best in her life away from Love Island.

It promoted one follower to probe into her love life and ask if she is single. Rosie decided it was the right time to reveal she is now happily loved up as she replied: “No I’m not,” alongside a red love heart emoji.

The TV star even shared a snap of her new man, whose identity she has chosen to keep private. In the sweet snap, the pair looked out to sea while on a white sandy beach as Rosie lovingly looked up to her tall dark haired boyfriend.

Rosie’s happiness comes after she suffered the heartbreaking loss of her dad in July last year. Sharing the devastating news, she wrote: “I don’t think I’ll ever come to understand why this has happened, words cannot even begin to express the pain I feel, the sadness feels endless knowing there is a piece of me missing that nothing will be able to fill.

“Though we may be apart, you will always be in my heart, and I will hold onto and cherish our memories forever. I love you forever. Daddy’s little girl always.”

During her time on Love Island, Rosie struck up a connection with Casey, but the couple were dumped just a week before the grand final. When they left the villa, Rosie made explosive claims about Casey as she claimed he had ignored her when they returned home.

In a YouTube video, she shared: “We were both with friends and family. That’s fine but for me, I think I did reach out and I didn’t really hear anything back and I felt there was not any effort made.

“I think the doubts that I had in the villa became very apparent when we left Love Island and I feel it just confirmed what I was thinking.” Casey revealed that he and Rosie had split soon after the reunion show.

In an Instagram Q&A with his fans, Casey explained: “Rosie and I have spoken… she’s such a great girl. Life outside the villa is just very different and we will remain friends moving forward.”

The news didn’t come as a surprise to fans, however, as they were convinced that the couple had split when Casey had taken to social media due to a string of clues. Both Casey and Rosie posted on socials about the reunion episode but failed to share an image alongside one another, or even mention each other.

It didn’t go unnoticed when Casey went on to like and comment on Samie Elishi’s post, with one taking to Rosie’s post and commenting: “Casey liked and commented under Samie’s pic already but nothing for yours?” “Casey isn’t serious about you,” said a second.

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