A woman has come forward alleging that she had an affair with David Harbour while the Stranger Things actor was still married to Lily Allen, claims that surface just as the singer releases her deeply personal new album, West End Girl.
The record, which dropped on October 24 via BMG, marks Allen’s first full-length release in seven years and explores themes of heartbreak, betrayal, and self-discovery following her separation from Harbour earlier this year, as reported by The Standard.
Lily Allen’s new album inspired by heartbreak
Rumors of a split between the British pop star and the American actor began circulating at the start of 2024, amid whispers of infidelity on Harbour’s part.
In interviews, Allen has since opened up about entering a treatment center to cope with what she described as the “emotional turmoil” of the breakup. That pain appears to have fueled West End Girl, which has been widely praised as one of her most raw and revealing works to date.
One track in particular, titled 'Madeline' sees Allen directly confronting her partner’s alleged affair: “How long has it been going on? Is it just sex or is there emotion?”
The lyrics (interpreted by fans as a message to Harbour’s supposed lover) sparked widespread speculation about who 'Madeline' might be.
'Madeline' speaks out about alleged relationship
According to The Mail on Sunday, a woman named Natalie Tippett has now claimed that she was romantically involved with Harbour during his marriage to Allen.
When asked by the outlet about the song 'Madeline', Tippett said: “Of course I’ve heard the song. But I have a family and things to protect. I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and I understand this is going on. It’s a little bit scary for me.”
Tippett declined to elaborate on her alleged relationship with Harbour, saying only that she didn’t feel comfortable discussing the situation further at this time.
On another track, titled 'Tennis', Allen sings about discovering incriminating messages on her partner’s phone: “I read your texts, and now I regret it… If it was just sex, I wouldn’t be jealous. You won’t play with me, and who’s Madeline?”
When asked whether she knew her private texts might inspire a song, Tippett reportedly said: “Yeah, I just don’t feel comfortable talking about it at the moment.”
Lily Allen says 'Madeline' is fictional
Despite speculation, Allen maintains that the character 'Madeline' is not based on any real person. Speaking to The Sunday Times, the 39-year-old insisted that the figure is a “construct of others”, a symbolic amalgamation rather than a literal one.
Allen also used the interview to reflect on modern views of relationships and fidelity: “I just feel we are living in really interesting times, in terms of how we define intimacy and monogamy, people being disposable or not,” she said.
“The way we are being intimate with each other is changing as humans. Lots of young women are not finding the idea of marriage or even a long-term relationship that attractive anymore.”
Neither Allen nor Harbour has publicly commented on Tippett’s claims.
West End Girl earns critical praise
Despite the surrounding controversy, West End Girl has been met with strong reviews. In a four-star write-up, NME hailed it as “a sleek, smart collection that sees Allen back at her very best.”
The review described the album as emotionally charged but not gloomy, noting Allen’s trademark blend of wit and vulnerability. “Since ‘Smile,’ Allen’s always had a knack for making devastation sound exciting,” the review reads. “There’s rage behind the pulsating ‘Ruminating,’ where she struggles with the realities of an open marriage, while ‘Madeline’ is a dizzying cocktail of uncertainty, fury, and empathy.”
The publication concluded that the project “feels like a much-needed purge”, a cathartic moment for an artist long known for turning personal pain into pop brilliance.