‘It's more than lying. It's controlling' | Seann Walsh's ex slates comic over drunken kiss

‘It's more than lying. It's controlling'

Seann Walsh's ex slates comic over drunken kiss

comedySeann Walsh’s ex-girlfriend Rebecca Humphries has been inundated with support over the break-up.

The actress and comedian was thrust into the media spotlight when Walsh was pictured drunkenly kissing his married Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya Jones on a night out in London.

And in a social media post  she explained how she was ‘not a victim,’ and  accused the stand-up of being ‘controlling’.

After the snog made the front page of The Sun on Sunday, Walsh tweeted:  ‘In light of the story in today's newspaper I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions. This is no excuse but it was a one-off drunken mistake which I am truly sorry for.’

But Humphries issued a much longer statement, spurning the chance to sell her side of the story to a tabloid. Here it is in full:

‘Hello there, My name is Rebecca Humphries and I am not a victim.

‘I wasn't sure whether to respond to events from the past week, but I feel the narrative has missed a couple of crucial elements that I would like to clear up.

‘It’s incredibly good of Sean(n) and Katya to apologise in the media. I have received nothing. other than the support of my family, friends, and a host of strangers on the internet who all wanted to make sure I was OK.

'What I have also kindly received are many offers to sell my side of the story, but I would prefer for it to be on my own terms.

‘Those pictures were taken on October 3, it was my birthday. I was alone at home when Sean texted at 10pm saying the two of them were going for one innocent drink.

‘We spoke, and I told him, not for the first time, that his actions over the past three weeks had led me to believe something inappropriate was going on.

‘He aggressively and repeatedly called me a psycho/nuts/mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when I’ve questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour.

‘But - this whole business has served to remind me that I am a strong, capable person who is now free: and no victim.

‘I have a voice and will use it by saying this to any woman out there who deep down feels worthless and trapped with a man they love: Believe in yourself and your instincts.

‘It's more than lying. It's controlling. Tell some very close friends who, if they’re anything like my wonderful network, will swoop in and take care of the logistics and of you.

‘It’s important also to recognise that in these situations those who hold power over you are insecure and fragile and the need for control comes from a place of vulnerability. I think it certainly does in Sean’s case.

‘Despite everything I hope he gets what he wants from this. I'm not sorry I took the cat, though.’ 

Humphries, who performed the  show Prom Kween, at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe,  later retweeted a supportive post from Scottish Women's Aid, saying: ‘If you feel worthless or trapped in your relationship, or are worried about someone Scotland's Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline is open 24/7. 0800 027 1234.’

Her reference to the comedian as Sean(n) comes because he added the second ’n’ as a stage-name affection –  inspired by American actor Seann William Scott who played Stifler in the  American Pie movies.

In a Twitter exchange with David Baddiel earlier this year, Walsh admitted  it wasn't his best decision, saying: ‘Do I regret it? Yes.’

Published: 9 Oct 2018

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