Comedian Tony Slattery's tragic £4k-a-week cocaine addiction and bipolar struggle
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At the height of his TV fame, Tony Slattery was one of our most recognisable comedians, adored by millions for his hilarious one-liners. Tony has passed away at the age of 65. He was known for his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and comedy shows Just A Minute and Have I Got News For You.
A statement on behalf of his partner Mark Michael Hutchinson said: "It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening.". In an interview back in 2019, The Mirror spoke to the comedian about his life. At the time, he had said: "You wake up and, if you’re alive, cool – go from there if you can." When asked his plans for when he turns 60 later this year, he quipped: "Survive.".
Telling of his daily battle with his mental health issues, he said: "I could write you a book on bipolarity. It’s one of those hidden things, it’s complicated. That’s not to say, ‘Oh god, aren’t I special’. So many people have it – the spectrum is enormous. But it hugely helps to talk about it – to get it out, discuss it.”.
In his heyday in the 80s and 90s, his captivating stints on Channel 4 improvisation show Who’s Line Is It Anyway? made Tony one of the UK’s top stand-ups. In 2019, he headed out on tour, revisiting those glory days with the help of a fan called Allan Lear who, he says, has become one of his best friends. His ascent to stardom began at university in Cambridge, where he studied Modern and Medieval languages, including Spanish poetry.
