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The Bluetones frontman Mark Morriss from Tunbridge Wells, denies allegations of abuse to ex-wife Anna Wharton

19:01, 19 November 2021

updated: 11:35, 03 March 2022

Frontman of the Britpop band The Bluetones Mark Morriss has denied accusations of physically and emotionally abusing his ex-wife.

In a lengthy and candid article, journalist Anna Wharton says the musician was repeatedly unfaithful and violent towards her during their relationship.

Bluetones frontman Mark Morriss. Picture: Ellie Guttridge
Bluetones frontman Mark Morriss. Picture: Ellie Guttridge

She said Mr Morriss had been abusive "on more than one occasion" but was only cautioned by police after showing them "a photo of the eight fingerprints around my neck".

Reflecting on that specific incident, Ms Wharton said: "What a thing you should have to think of straight after an act of violence like that, but otherwise I would never have been believed.

"He’d been spoken to by the police before but he always told them I was lying. It was his word against mine, and… well, you know who people tend to believe, the perpetrator who said he didn’t do it."

The article continues to outline a number of allegations about Mr Morriss saying that he "relied on telling people" his wife was "crazy and lying about me".

They have a daughter together and Ms Wharton says he had made up "terrible things" about her including claiming he told his mother that he had been tricked into the pregnancy, saying she was bipolar and a liar to discredit her.

"I forgave him so many indiscretions, I loved him, with all my heart"

"He has been gaslighting women to believe what he wanted them to, convincing them not to put the dots together and realise what a narcissistic, pathological liar and serial predator he is," she said.

Mr Morriss, 50, who lives in Tunbridge Wells, says claims of "gaslighting and abuse are wholly untrue".

But Ms Wharton said due to the "constant cheating" the relationship was "on and off" since they met in August 2011.

"I forgave him so many indiscretions, I loved him, with all my heart," Ms Wharton wrote. "I knew he’d spent his life cheating but I hoped, like many women, I’d be the one he’d stay faithful to."

In light of the recent accusations, several gigs set to feature Mr Morriss have been cancelled and agents have dropped him as a client, it has been reported.

Responding to the allegations, Mr Morriss told The Guardian: "I may have been thoughtless and selfish in some of the dealings in my personal life of late, but these allegations of abuse and gaslighting are wholly untrue, and I refute them completely.”

"What a thing you should have to think of straight after an act of violence like that, but otherwise I would never have been believed..."

He is also quoted as admitting his personal life had "certainly gotten into a hell of a tangle, people have undoubtedly been hurt because of me".

But he added: "In many ways, all this coming to light is a great relief. I am sincerely sorry for everything to anyone caught up here."

Ms Wharton outlined several incidents in which she says Morriss had been controlling and "a tyrant in our home".

During the pregnancy of their child, she says she heard about a woman who had recently been with Mr Morriss and claimed he had told her Ms Wharton had arrived on his doorstep six months pregnant saying he was the father.

Ms Wharton also added Morriss would return home after gigs at the weekend "to catch me out" and accusing her of lying about cleaning.

"It got to the point where I would polish the back of the front door so he’d smell the scent before he crossed the threshold,” she said. “But cleaning wasn’t the point, control was.”

Mr Morriss also told The Guardian the "last thing" he wanted to do "was hurt people who have been kind to me" during the last 18 months, which had "undoubtedly had an adverse effect” on his mental health and decision-making.

He added he had a "very strong and healthy" relationship with the mother of his son in their co-parenting roles together.

KentOnline has attempted to approach Mr Morriss for comment.

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