Chris Hardwick – the host of Walking Dead talk show Talking Dead – has denied sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, saying he was "heartbroken" by the allegations against him.
The 46-year-old television star broke his silence after his former partner Chloe Dykstra wrote an online post in which she said she was abused by an ex-boyfriend.
Hardwick said he did his best to "uplift and support" the 29-year-old actress and cosplayer.
He told Deadline: "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."
The actor and comedian claimed he ended the relationship after finding out Dykstra had "cheated" on him.
"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 said.
"I'm devastated to read that she is now accusing me of conduct that did not occur.
"I 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."
Dykstra did not name her alleged abuser in her essay on the website Medium but said he was almost 20 years older than her.
She claimed he quickly began displaying "controlling behaviour", including not letter her speak in public, keeping her evenings free to spend with him and getting rid of close male friends.
"I was terrified to p*** him off, so I did what he said. Including let him sexually assault me. Regularly," she wrote.
"I was expected to be ready for him when he came home from work."
She added: "When cameras were on us? He was a prince. Turn them off, he was a nightmare."
Following the allegations, the website he founded, Nerdist, removed all references to Hardwick, saying it was "shocked" in a Twitter statement.
"That type of behaviour is contrary to everything we stand for and believe in, and we absolutely don't tolerate discrimination, harassment and other forms of abuse," it said.
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Nerdist Industries owner Legendary Entertainment added: "Chris Hardwick had no operational involvement with Nerdist for the two years preceding the expiration of his contract in December 2017.
"He no longer has any affiliation with Legendary Digital Networks. The company has removed all reference to Mr Hardwick even as the original Founder of Nerdist pending further investigation."
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Sky News
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