Influential entertainment personality Chris Hardwick has responded to allegations of abuse and sexual assault leveled against him by actor, cosplayer and ex-girlfriend, Chloe Dykstra.
A statement was expected given that he’s still slated to host BBC America’s Doctor Who panel at 2018’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, as well as The Walking Dead panel.
RELATED: Nerdist Issues Statement on Sexual Assault Allegations Against Chris Hardwick
“These are very serious allegations and not to be taken lightly which is why I’ve taken the day to consider how to respond,” Hardwick said in response to the allegations. “I was heartbroken to read Chloe’s post. Our three year relationship was not perfect—we were ultimately not a good match and argued—even shouted at each other—but I loved her, and did my best to uplift and support her as a partner and companion in any way and at no time did I sexually assault her.”
“When we were living together, I found out that Chloe had cheated on me, and I ended the relationship,” Hardwick asserts. “For several weeks after we broke up, she asked to get back together with me and even told me she wanted to have kids with me, ‘build a life’ with me and told me that I was ‘the one,’ but I did not want to be with someone who was unfaithful,” he also asserted in his statement.
“I’m devastated to read that she is now accusing me of conduct that did not occur. l was blindsided by her post and always wanted the best for her. As a husband, a son, and future father, I do not condone any kind of mistreatment of women.”
This comes on the heel of Nerdist officially wiping him from the books and currently distancing him from being part of its brand as a founder. Hardwick has had a strong presence on the pop culture scene over the last decade, hosting shows like The Walking Dead after-show AMC’s Talking Dead, @midnight on Comedy Central, and moderating countless other panels on the comic convention circuit nationwide.
(via Deadline)