Why Did David Harbour And Lilly Allen Split? Cheating Allegations, Mistress Named Madeline, And More

David Harbour has been part of the acting world for decades, but the actor rose to fame overnight after starring in the 2016 series, Stranger Things. His portrayal of 'Jim Hopper' in the popular show, made David a household name. However, the actor has recently grabbed headlines, after his estranged wife, Lilly Allen's new album was released. 

In her latest release, West End Girl, Lilly alleged that David had been unfaithful to her. A woman named Madeline was also mentioned. Amid this, here is a look at what might have led to David Harbour and Lilly Allen separating. 

David Harbour and Lilly Allen separated in 2024, due to his alleged infidelity 

David Harbour and Lilly Allen tied the knot in 2020 after meeting on the celebrity dating app, Raya. The former couple do not have any children together, but David was quite involved in the lives of his two step-children, whom Lilly shares with her first husband, Sam Cooper. After nearly four years of marriage, multiple media portals reported that Lilly and David had called it quits after she caught the latter cheating on her. It is also important to note that, the former couple has never revealed if they are divorced, however, recently Lilly called David her ex-husband, hence it has been assumed that they have legally split up. 

A source revealed to Daily Mail that Lilly had joined the dating app, Raya, to see if David was using it to cheat on her. According to the report, the singer would check David's Instagram following after coming across a woman's profile on the app. Hence, she was cross-referencing Raya to see whether her then-husband, David, had strayed in their marriage. In a recent interview with The Times, Lilly Allen talked about dating apps and shared:

“There are usually agreed-upon boundaries in relationships. But whether those boundaries are adhered to or not is becoming a grey area all of a sudden. Dating apps make people disposable and that leads to the idea that if you are not happy, there’s so much more to choose from — right in your pocket.”

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Lilly Allen's cheating allegations against David Harbour in the album, West End Girl 

Lilly Allen dropped her latest album, West End Girl, on October 24, 2025. Many of the tracks have caught the attention of people due to the lyrics that seem to give a glimpse to the listeners of Lilly and David's marriage and why it crumbled. In the song 'Sleepwalking', Lilly wrote about a cheating partner who manipulated her into thinking that she wasn't enough. The lyrics said:

"Been no romance since we wed/ Yeah, that's what you said./ But you let me think it was me in my head, and nothing to do with them girls in your bed."

Then in another song named 'Pussy Palace', which is being called one of the most heartbreaking tracks in her album, Lilly talks about sending her partner away after finding out she was being cheated on. The singer also asks him about his 'double life'. The lyrics are:

"Don't come home, I don't want you in my bed / Go to the apartment in the West Village instead...I found a shoebox full of handwritten letters / From brokenhearted women wishing you could have been better."

Lilly Allen has stated that not all the songs and their meanings are one hundred percent true; however, she did take inspiration from her real life. Moreover, the singer also opened up about how she wrote and recorded the songs in one of the most difficult periods of her life, when her marriage was falling apart. She had shared with Perfect Magazine:

"There are things that are on the record that I experienced within my marriage, but that's not to say that it's all gospel. It is inspired by what went on in the relationship. Two people who were once together are not together. And that's really sad. It's hard. It's hard for me not to have my own person, you know?"

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Lilly Allen makes reference to David Harbour's alleged mistress, Madeline 

A woman named Madeline is referenced in the West End Girl album twice. Lilly first mentioned the name in the fourth track, Tennis. In this song, Lilly says that if her partner only had a casual relationship than she would have been fine, however, someone named Madeline is jeopardising their relationship. Meanwhile, the fifth track is itself called, Madeline. Through this, Lilly hinted that she and David might have had an open marriage with rules and boundaries. However, when he got together with this mystery woman called, Madeline he foresake all the rules. The lyrics are:

"We had an arrangement / Be discrete and don't be blatant / There had to be payment / It had to be with strangers / But you're not a stranger, Madeline."

There has been no official confirmation on who Madeline is; however, many believe that it refers to a young costume designer with whom David allegedly had an affair. According to reports, it lasted for three years. David has yet to comment on the rumours swirling around, and the subtle allegations made against him in the songs. However, the woman whom Lilly calls Madeline is reportedly actually Natalie Tippett. The young single mom and costume designer has stepped forward and talked to the Daily Mail about the songs. She shared: 

"Of course I've heard the song. But I have a family and things to protect. I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and I understand this is going on. It's a little bit scary for me."

What are your thoughts on Lilly Allen and David Harbour's divorce? 

Also Read: Saquon Barkley's Fiancee Anna Congdon: Engagement Backlash, 'Gold Digger' Comments, College Couple

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