Lulu Bird Popplewell (born Laura Francesca Popplewell)[1] is an English comedian and actress.

Lulu Popplewell
Born
Laura Francesca Popplewell

London, England
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
Years active2001–present
FatherAndrew Popplewell
Relatives

She was a finalist in the Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Award and the Chortle Student Comedy Award 2018.

She is the daughter of Lord Justice Andrew Popplewell and Debra Lomas, a dermatologist. She is the younger sister of actress Anna Popplewell and the older sister of Freddie Popplewell, the niece of former cricketer Nigel Popplewell and the granddaughter of retired judge Oliver Popplewell.

Popplewell was originally known for her role as Daisy in the 2003 film Love Actually.[2] On radio she played the part of Lyra Belacqua in BBC Radio 4's 2003 dramatisation of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.[3][4]

Sexual misconduct allegations

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In 2020, Popplewell accused actor and comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli of sexual harassment. It was at a show where he approached her and offered to use his influence to boost her career. Popplewell alleged that an offer of help was accompanied by an invitation to spend the night in his bed and has accused Kohli of attempting to abuse his power.[5][6] In response, Singh Kohli said: "It is now clear to me that my actions and words made women feel intimidated, undermined and undervalued. For this, I apologise unreservedly and can only hope to live a life of greater understanding".[7][8][9]

Filmography

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Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2003 Love Actually Daisy
2001 Love in a Cold Climate Emma TV miniseries

References

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  1. ^ "Changes of Name | the Gazette".
  2. ^ Curtis, Richard; Freud, Emma; Mountain, Peter (2003), Love actually, Michael Joseph, p. 223, ISBN 978-0-7181-4643-6
  3. ^ Sexton, David (12 January 2003). "Truth beats drama Radio". Sunday Telegraph. p. 11. Eleven-year-old Lulu Popplewell continues to be the best thing about the adaptation of the Philip Pullman trilogy, His Dark Materials. In The Subtle Knife (Radio 4, yesterday), she was paired up with a new character, a boy called Will Parry (played by Daniel Anthony), who becomes the bearer of the mystical dagger on which the salvation of the world depends.
  4. ^ "Pullman's Dark Materials to be on the radio". BBC News. 3 December 2002.
  5. ^ Horne, Marc (30 June 2020). "Hardeep Singh Kohli: Women turn the spotlight on comic". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  6. ^ Horne, Marc (1 July 2020). "Hardeep Singh Kohli: Promoter's lifetime ban on comic accused of inappropriate actions". The Times. Archived from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  7. ^ King, Diane (5 August 2020). "Hardeep Singh Kohli says sorry to women who he 'harassed'". Edinburgh News.
  8. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (5 August 2020). "Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli apologises after being accused of sexual harassment". The Independent. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  9. ^ Horne, Marc (4 August 2020). "Hardeep Singh Kohli apologises for making women feel 'intimidated'". The Times. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
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