Baby Reindeer creator cites Shane MacGowan and the Pogues' as creative influences for the writer as well supporting him as he dealt with addiction and came to terms with sexual abuse.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Scottish writer actor and comedian shared: “Shane and the Pogues have been massive influences".

Gadd also had the chance to meet his heroes and, in the same interview, went on to describe his glee at meeting the band:  "I bumped into someone…whose boyfriend produced the show so they gave me a backstage pass.

"I was like, ‘are you kidding me? I’m going to meet the Pogues?’ I met Spider Stacy, Jem Finer and James Fearnley from the Pogues, and all of them had watched the show.

“I just couldn’t believe it. I posted that I met the Pogues and then they actually posted it to their official Instagram, a picture of them with me, which is just kind of unbelievable. They’ve inspired me so much.”

When the late Shane MacGowan passed away in November of last year, Gadd shared a heartfelt tribute on the social media platform expressing his sadness at MacGowan's passing, saying: "Absolutely devastated.

"No artist in my life has influenced me more. I grew up to the sound of his songs playing in the car on family holidays and was hooked from an early age. The lyrics punched through in a way no other musician, artist, or writer ever has."

 

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Gadd also revealed in the same post,  he said he found the Pogue's music to be massively soothing in his live: "When I got myself clean and came to terms with my sexual abuse, I did it by running and listening to his music".

The Baby Reindeer star also revelled that he had written fan mail to Shane MacGowan and received a signed book in return.