Nightclub hosting Baby Reindeer's 'real Martha' Fiona Harvey cancels meet and greet

A Coventry nightclub tonight said it had cancelled a public meet and greet with Fiona Harvey - alleged to be the real inspiration for the character Martha on Netflix show Baby Reindeer. Kasbah Nightclub said the event was cancelled due to "negative publicity".

The Primrose Hill Street venue added the event was "deemed unsafe". It comes after the club received major backlash over Ms Harvey's appearance.

Kasbah previously said Ms Harvey - who said she plans to sue Netflix for defamation - would 'sign autographs, take selfies and maybe take some lucky reindeer home to hang her curtains'.

Read more: Baby Reindeer's 'Martha' to 'appear' at city nightclub as furious followers say 'this is grotesque'

The Scot, 58, recently gave an exclusive interview to Piers Morgan after internet sleuths linked her to the show, said by Netflix to be a true story, and claimed she was the real life Martha. Ms Harvey denied she had ever stalked Richard Gadd who stars as himself- unlike the character in the show.

Kasbah released a statement on Facebook tonight announcing the meet and greet would be cancelled. The club sarcastically thanked news outlets for giving it "free publicity".

The statement read: "Unfortunately, the promoter of this Saturday’s meet and greet with Fiona Harvey has deemed the event unsafe and cancelled the appearance due to negative publicity. We would however, like to thank him for considering our venue.

"In particular, we’d like to thank Metro, Daily Mail, BBC, CoventryLive, Birmingham Mail, ITV news, The Independent, NME, Glasgow Live, MSN, The Sun, Daily Mirror, Warwick Boar, Business Insider, The Tab, CNN and numerous Instagram meme pages with a combined total of 33 million followers for their support and free publicity - you guys are the gift that keeps on giving.

"Open as normal this Friday, Saturday and Monday from 10.30pm. Simply quote 'Martha' at the front door on Saturday to receive £1 off entry before midnight."