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Matt Lucas quits West End role after ex-partner Kevin McGee’s suicide
Kiran Randhawa and Felix Allen06.10.09
Matt Lucas was being comforted by close friends and comedy partner David Walliams today after being left grief-stricken by his ex-partner's suicide.
TV producer Kevin McGee was found hanged 10 months after the Little Britain comic split from him in a high-profile gay divorce.
Lucas is said to be “utterly destroyed” and has been surrounded by close friends at his home in Marylebone since he was told about the death.
The comedian has also pulled out of his starring role in West End play Prick Up Your Ears, a violent story which climaxes as he bludgeons his lover to death and prepares to take his own life, "until further notice" the producers said today.
The 35-year-old was too devastated to comment today and did not attend an awards ceremony where he and Walliams were due to appear.
McGee, 32, who had battled drug addiction, changed his Facebook profile status at 5am yesterday to read: “Kevin McGee thinks that death is much better than life.”
Concerned friends alerted police, but he was already dead when officers broke into his flat three hours later.
The couple married in December 2006 in a pantomime-themed ceremony at Home House in central London. Lucas dressed up as Ali Baba while McGee was Prince Charming.
Sir Elton John, Paul O'Grady, Barbara Windsor and Courtney Love were among the guests at the lavish party after the ceremony.
Just 18 months into the marriage, McGee admitted his unreasonable behaviour had caused an irretrievable breakdown in their relationship.
In what became the first celebrity gay divorce, district judge Caroline Reid granted a “quickie” decree after a 75-second hearing at the High Court.
Friends of McGee today said he had appeared in high spirits recently and did not seem suicidal. He had moved to Edinburgh and was studying for a degree.
A neighbour said: “A month ago he bought a labrador puppy. He seemed a nice guy with no signs of any obvious problems. He never mentioned Matt Lucas.”
Lucas admitted in an interview last month that the couple's break-up had been “tough”. He said: “I'm in a much better place than I was. Time is a great healer.”
Reader views (14)
Jaybee doesn't seem to think my apology is genuine, but it is.
My original message has obviously upset people, which I never intended. Why would I want to?
I don't know what else to say, apart from I'm sorry I made some of you so angry that you felt you had to accuse me of being some sort of bitter, heartlesss, low-life creep who thinks very highly of himself.
I'm not any of those things.
Once again , my apologies.
- Jargonaut, South London
Jargonaut.
I'm glad you were lucky to work with what you consider "professional" actors. I'm also glad you consider yourself so highly to think that your question is "relevant", and that you have been "called many things" besides the adjectives aimed at you about which you are so defensive. May I add "pathetic" "boastful", "vain" and "heartless" to their list.
If you ever were, indeed, an actor, then your lack of empathy must have (so unfairly!) been a barrier to success.
Presumably your idea of "professionalism" would mean an actor playing Lear to go on stage as normal the day after his daughter was murdered by hanging, or an actress portraying Blanche duBois the day after she'd been raped? The "stage" (a newspaper message board!) you've left "shame-faced" is the stage on which you've shown your character - and believe me the it hasn't been your choice to leave it "shame-faced". Your remarks remain as a testimony to you. And what a delightful chap you seem! Maybe some compassion for Matt Lucas or Kevin McGee's family might have been "relevant". They are the people suffering now. Shame, shame, shame (not "shame-faced") on you. RIP Kevin, and my thoughts are with your loved-ones.
- Jaybee, london
To Michael Russell and anyone else who I upset - my heartfelt apologies.
I meant no malice in my comments. I merely raised a genuine question which, although I still consider relevant, I now realise was insensitive at this time.
In my defence I would mention that I have been called many things by my family and friends but never, ever 'cruel', 'callous' or 'pompous'.
In fact in my professional and private life I have taken every opportunity to lampoon the pompous and self-obsessed in society. Hand on heart, I'm not one of that breed.
Yes, I agree the play's the thing. So I will now leave the stage, head bowed and shamefaced.
- Jargonaut, South London
To Jargonaut (re your comment above):
I've been a professional actor for over 30 years, and I have one thing to say to your comment about Matt Lucas and the suicide of Kevin McGee: I find your comments cruel and callous, you pompous martinet! As someone else in these remarks observed, acting is a job. Human life is supreme above all. I feel sorry for you that you would place a job above life; you obviously have your priorities out of whack. Professionalism--piffle! Would you play if your significant other or a member of your immediate family died? It so happens that I have tickets for Matt Lucas' performance in PUYE, which I will use, even though he will not play. As someone else observed, the play's the thing, not the performers. A concept which--among others--you clearly do not understand.
- Michael Russell, New York, NY - U.S.A.
Please can someone tell me who has taken over the role of Halliwell? I have booked to go mid-November and hope that Lucas will have returned to his role. If he does not return to the play will the management give me a refund? I agree with Jargonaut "the show must go on". The audience would have supported him and possibly have given him a standing ovation for showing strength and courage.
Brian, Bedford.
- Brian Gill, Bedford UK
Jargonaut - I am going to see ***** Up Your Ears on Saturday. As far as I'm concerned the play's the thing, not the cast. However I would like to take this opportunity to send my deepest condolences to Mr McGee's family and friends.
- Blue Baby, London
I have tickets for ***** Up Your Ears and was looking forward to seeing Matt Lucas on stage. However, despite being a performer, he is a human being first and foremost, and given his personal circumstances, and especially in view of the play's subject matter, I fully understand why he has withdrawn, and feel nothing but the utmost sympathy for him. Acting is work afterall, and no one would be expected to turn up at the office under such circumstances.
- Victor, Watford
I don't know much about Mr Lucas or his one-time partner, although your report says they are no longer together.
I appreciate a young man has take his own life and do not want to appear controversial.
But there's a rock-solid showbiz adage " the show must go on " and although the current crop of performers probably consider the saying to be ' trite ' or ' old hat ', I have worked with well-known performers who went on stage to do a show even though they'd just gone through - or were going through - a personal tragedy, so that the audience, who may have spent a lot of money on hotels and travel, apart from their tickets, would not be disappointed. In other words, the audience were the priority, not the performers emotions.
I'm not saying that what Mr. Lucas has done by walking out on a West Ebd play is right or wrong. I'm just genuinely wondering what todays performers definition of professionalism is.
I'd be interested in hearing what anyone who has bought tickets for the play and will now not be seeing Mr. Lucas in the role, thinks.
- Jargonaut, South London
how tragic. Matt should drop the Halliwell role now if he can.
- Squiz, Islington
"And poor Matt - he's going to find it so hard going back to doing the play as well."
Especially given its subject.
- Michael, London
It is really tragic and sad. It a reminder why matters of the heart and relationships MUST NOT be taken lightly. We live in a society where these two are taken increasingly lightly and, we may not want to admit it, but its bloody hard! Heartfelt condolence to family and friends.
- Nr, London, Prague
kevin does not feel anything in this world any more. bat what feelings left to matt and people around him.
- Roman, london
His poor family and friends - such a tragedy. And poor Matt - he's going to find it so hard going back to doing the play as well. I really feel for them.
- Lizard, London
What a sad story. Suicide is a tragic thing.
- Jc, London
