The true hell of having a stalker

Worldwide hit Baby Reindeer reveals hidden trauma that affects so many

- KAREN BRYANS I

Netflix hit Baby Reindeer has taken the world by storm in its shocking portrayal of both a female stalker and male sexual abuse.

And its creator and star, Scottish comedian Richard Gadd, 34, is still reeling from how the fictionalised dramatisation of his own life experiences has been received.

"It's clearly struck a chord," he said this week. "I really did believe in it, but it's taken off so quickly that I do feel a bit windswept." Along with overnight global recognition for Gadd, his story has led victims to have the courage to contact charities for support.

Baby Reindeer, which has been Nol in the UK and US on Netflix, is drawn from Gadd's experience in 2015 when he fell victim to a female stalker 20 years his senior.

The title is even drawn from her comment about the comedian's wide-eyed innocence.

In the show the fictionalised character Martha is played with chilling skill by Fortitude actress Jessica Gunning, who takes a terrifying interest in barman and aspiring comic Donny.

Shockingly Gadd's actual stalking ordeal follows on from him being sexually assaulted by an unnamed older male he met earlier in his career.