Martin Clunes has spoken about the profound emotional connection he feels to Cornwall, a place that reminds him of his late father, actor Alec Clunes. The Doc Martin star, 55, revealed that his father died of cancer when he was just eight years old, leaving a lasting impact on his life. Clunes described his father as a 'strong, silent type' who might have disapproved of some of his career choices, such as the sitcom Men Behaving Badly.
Clunes shared that his earliest memory is a picnic in a park near Wimbledon Common, where he grew up. He recalled being left outside pubs with a bottle of pop and crisps while waiting for adults. His father, also an actor, was often away from home, but Clunes remembers him as serious yet capable of silliness, performing cabaret after shows.
The actor's family roots are deeply embedded in the theatre. His paternal grandparents were music hall entertainers in a troupe called the Brownies, and his mother worked as a secretary for Orson Welles. His uncle, Jeremy Brett, famous for playing Sherlock Holmes, was a significant influence, making Clunes feel confident about his career choice.
After his father's death, Clunes was sent to boarding school, where he endured bullying and chronic bedwetting. He found solace in performing and caring for animals, which later led him to build a home and farm in Cornwall. Clunes now lives there with his wife, producer Philippa Braithwaite, and their daughter Emily, surrounded by a menagerie of animals.
Clunes revealed that he only discovered at age 18 that his father had left the family before his illness. His mother had kept this secret, and Clunes admitted he struggles to understand why someone would leave their family. Despite this, he finds belonging in his Cornish home, where his sister and extended family often visit.
