Peep Show actor Matt King, best known for playing Super Hans, has revealed he has separated from his wife after three decades together, admitting he threw himself into work while dealing with the breakdown of his marriage.
The 58-year-old opened up about the split during an appearance on Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast. He was discussing his new fictional autobiography of his Peep Show character, titled Moreish, when he explained that writing the book gave him somewhere to escape during a difficult period in his personal life.
Writing as an escape
King said: "I wrote it in sort of quite intense bursts. When I first started writing, maybe 18 to 20 months ago, I guess, I wrote a lot in one hit."
"I was going through a separation, divorce with my missus of 30 years at the time. And so threw myself into this."
The actor explained that immersing himself in Super Hans' world allowed him to temporarily step away from what was happening in his own life. "I was happy to be going into his world and to be staying in his world," he continued. "And I was spending as much time as I could writing and not really wanting to go back out into that bit behind me where all the real stuff was happening."
"I think it sort of helped me go into these bubbles where I was able to completely cut myself off from. But then, you know, you've got to come out of character. You've got two kids."
King has generally kept his family life away from the spotlight and has not shared further details about his separation or the circumstances surrounding it.
Health scare earlier this year
The revelation comes after the actor experienced a serious health scare earlier this year, when he suffered a rare spinal cord stroke that initially left him paralysed from the neck down.
In May, he shared a photograph of himself in hospital on Instagram, reassuring fans that he was beginning to walk again after receiving treatment. He wrote: "It's true. I had a rare stroke of the spinal cord on Sunday. I was initially paralysed but was rushed to The Royal Sussex and the staff have been amazing.
"Can walk again, a bit. My legs were jelly, man. It didnt feel f*****g brilliant. Thank you for all the love and kindness."
His post prompted an outpouring of support, with fans sending messages wishing him a speedy recovery. One wrote: "The fact that you had a stroke and still had the humour to joke about your legs being jelly says everything. You're an inspiration Matt. Get well soon."
Another commented: "Get well soon you legend", while a third added: "Get well soon chief you'll bounce back better than ever."
His Peep Show co-star Vera Graziadei, who played Elena, also rallied support for the actor, urging people to send him their love and prayers. "Peeples, let's send some prayers and love to our dear friend and bloody brilliant actor and human – Matt @thatmattkingfella who needs it now," she wrote. "Health issue so send your love and support to him!"
Career highlights
King played Super Hans throughout the 12-year run of Peep Show, becoming a fan favourite for his unpredictable antics and memorable one-liners. He has also continued to bring the character to life by dressing up as him during his DJ sets.
Away from the sitcom, the actor has appeared in shows including Skins and Doctor Who, as well as the BBC drama Jekyll. He also reunited with some of his former Peep Show castmates for The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off last December, appearing alongside David Mitchell, Olivia Colman, Isy Suttie and Sophie Winkleman.
