Sir Stephen Fry is pursuing legal action against CogX Festival Limited and Blonstein Events, seeking up to £100,000 in damages following a fall from a stage at the O2 Arena in September 2023, according to High Court documents.
The 68-year-old actor and presenter sustained multiple fractures after plunging from the stage after delivering a talk on artificial intelligence at the CogX festival. The legal claim states that on September 14, 2023, at the O2 Arena in London, Fry was engaged to speak at the event. After concluding his presentation and while exiting the backstage area, he fell approximately two metres onto the concrete floor below.
The claim alleges that the incident was caused by the negligence or breach of statutory duty of the defendants, their servants, or agents, for failing to ensure the stage and backstage area were safe, adequately lit, and properly protected to prevent a fall from height. Fry is seeking damages for personal injuries and consequential losses up to £100,000, including an award for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity exceeding £1,000, plus interest and costs.
CogX Festival and Blonstein Events have not yet submitted a defence to the claim. Both have been approached for comment.
In December 2023, Fry told Claudia Winkleman's BBC Radio 2 programme that he broke his right leg in a couple of places, as well as his hip and pelvis in four places, and a bunch of ribs. He described bowing after his lecture and turning to leave the stage, unaware that he was walking off a part of the stage with no barrier, resulting in a six-foot drop onto concrete.
Keith Barrett, a partner at law firm Fieldfisher representing Fry, said: "It's very unfortunate that court proceedings were necessary, but the defendants do not accept Sir Stephen's account of events, and we have had to ask the court to determine who is responsible for his injury and losses."
No hearing has yet been scheduled in the claim.
