Inside Tony Slattery’s doting relationship with ‘rock’ Mark Hutchinson who ‘kept BBC comedian alive’ before tragic death
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TONY Slattery once credited his doting partner with keeping him "alive" before his tragic death - gushing over his "rock" of 40 years. The comedian was with actor Mark Michael Hutchinson for almost 40 years, and Tony claimed 'Marky' kept him alive through his battles with addiction and depression.
![[Mark Hutchinson embracing Tony Slattery.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/episode-horizon-s-matter-tony-963732829.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Tony struggled for years with his addiction to cocaine and alcohol as well as a battle with bipolar disorder. In 2019, the late comedian said Mark is "supportive, authentic and real", adding that he "means everything to me.". But Mark admitted to struggling at times when it came to caring for Tony.
![[Tony Slattery, British actor and comedian.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2a4eawj-tony-slattery-british-actor-963714240_3385b0.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
Mark said: "I've run away a couples times, I'd go away for a couple of weeks. "It's tiring caring for someone, loving someone who is constantly on the edge. "I don't know where the alcohol stops and where the depression starts. "You don't know what to prioritise or treat first: is it because of the alcohol or is it depression.".
![[Headshot of Tony Slattery.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000963714206_ba10d3.jpg?strip=all&w=623)
But he then added that he would always return because he couldn't stand to be away from Tony for too long. Tony often credited Mark with keeping him alive through his battles. Tony recalled: "I met him in a musical, Me and My Girl, we were both very shy and didn't speak to each for six months.
![[Tony Slattery at a This Morning TV show interview.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/i-m-dead-never-off-963707339_3d36cf.jpg?strip=all&w=602)
"Our eyes lingered just a bit too long [on one occasion] - without him I'd be dead no question about that!". Speaking to The Mirror in 2019, the comedian added: 'I’ve been with Marky for 32 years. Oh god, it’s still going well. "Damn him, he’s two months older than I am but looks half my age.".
