Joanna Page, the Gavin & Stacey actress, says she was groped by a television host during filming, after being warned in advance by a female producer that he could be 'very handsy' and likely to start touching her. Page, who is 48, makes the disclosure in her forthcoming memoir Lush!, according to The Times, which notes she did not name the host for legal reasons.
'Halfway through filming, he starts groping me. I hit his hands and said, "What do you think you're bloody doing? I feel like I'm in Bristol Zoo being mauled by the lions."' Page writes, describing the moment she confronted the behavior. She adds that the incident ceased after her response, a detail she corroborates with the sentiment that the act was stopped by her intervention.
The Times reports that Page recalled the warning from a female producer about the possibility of such behavior, describing it as part of a troubling dynamic she says she encountered on sets. 'It was bizarre, a female producer telling you this was going to happen, but it's what you got used to,' she is quoted as saying in the interview accompanying the memoir's release. The account underscores broader conversations about harassment in the entertainment industry and the fear or hesitation many performers feel about speaking out.
Beyond Gavin & Stacey, Page is known for hosting the BBC podcast Off The Telly with EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy and has appeared in films including From Hell and Love Actually. The memoir and interview are positioned within a longer career spanning television, film, and voice work, reflecting Page's long-standing involvement in British entertainment.
The article notes that people who have been affected by issues raised by Page’s account can visit the BBC Action Line for details of organisations that can offer support. The guidance is part of a broader public-service effort to connect individuals with resources and reporting options.