Stephen Fry Reveals Mental Health Struggles and Reflects on Suicide Attempt
Stephen Fry has candidly discussed the realities of living with bipolar disorder and reflected on what he described as an 'agonising' suicide attempt during an appearance on ITV's The Assembly. The presenter, aged 68, was the first celebrity to feature in the second series of the interview show, which involves autistic, neurodivergent, and/or learning-disabled interviewers posing questions with no topic off limits.
Serious Mental Health Discussion
The interview began with a direct question about Fry's mental health, as interviewer Cameron noted it was a 'very serious' topic. Cameron asked: 'You tried to kill yourself a couple of times, are you happy to be alive now?' Fry, who has previously spoken about a suicide attempt in 2012, responded: 'I am, I am happy to be alive, but it was a pretty terrible experience.'
He elaborated: 'I was in agony in my mind and didn't want to live. I can't bring back that feeling, it's kind of alien, it's like looking at myself as another person.' Fry compared the experience to a physical injury, stating: 'Have you ever broken a leg? I had a really painful injury, you know you screamed in agony, but you can't make that pain come back to you now, it's a bit the same with the mind.'
Bipolar Disorder Insights
Later in the episode, Fry was asked about his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, a chronic mental health condition characterised by extreme mood swings from manic to depressive episodes. Interviewer Harry sought advice on helping a family member with the condition, prompting Fry to explain: 'The first thing to realise is it's an illness, it's not something that can be wished away. It's a real thing.'
He used a metaphor to describe it: 'It's worth thinking of it being like the weather. Now, the weather is real, you can't pretend it's not raining when it's raining, you're getting wet, it's really raining. But on the other hand it's also true that you didn't make it rain. The rain happens, it's not your fault it's raining, you shouldn't beat yourself up. It's not something in your control.'
Fry emphasised that mood disorders are temporary: 'It will eventually stop, it always has, and it always will stop and the sun will come out at some point, and that's what it's like with a mood disorder like bipolar. It's difficult, but it's worth remembering, it's not their personality, it's the weather inside them, and it will change.'
Personal Questions on Sexuality and Marriage
Elsewhere in the interview, Fry was taken aback by a 'direct' personal question about his sex life with his husband, Elliott Spencer. After offering advice on finding a husband, an interviewer crudely followed up about their sexual preferences in the bedroom. Fry reacted with laughter and gasping, covering his face before responding: 'Wow, that is as direct as it gets. I'm going to leave that a mystery, I think that's best.'
He later described the question as 'eye-watering' in a preview, joking that the grilling was 'worse than the Celebrity Traitors roundtable'. Fry noted the uniqueness of the interview format: 'The Assembly puts one under a microscope for real. The frankness, the openness, the genuine curiosity. These are not things one is used to in the normal run of journalistic inquisition.'
Reflections on Growing Up Gay
In related comments from a 2024 interview with The Times, Fry opened up about his teenage years, admitting that being gay felt like there was 'a horror inside him' and he felt 'rejected'. He recalled: 'In the Eighties, I was known as Celibate Stephen. I was so excited by my work that I forgot to have sex. It was also fear. I always felt rejected in gay bars.'
He added: 'Being gay gave me years of misery but an education in literature. By the time I was 13 my sexuality was a secret horror swelling inside me and I was desperately trying to find out who I was, what future there was for me. I knew the disgrace and humiliation of gay people.'
Thoughts on Longevity and Marriage
Fry also shared his views on aging, stating he does not want to live past 100 because he would 'hate to be that lonely'. He explained: 'If everybody – my family and friends – lived into their 120s, then maybe I'd be quite happy to pass 100. But as it is, I would hate to be that lonely Flying Dutchman figure so beloved of history... The survivor, all of whose dependents and acquaintances have since died. I would find that deeply upsetting.'
On his marriage to Elliott Spencer, whom he wed in 2015 after a brief engagement, Fry revealed the secret to their successful relationship despite their 30-year age gap. He highlighted virtues like cheerfulness and understanding differences, saying: 'When you're in the presence of a cheerful person, it makes everything better. They're like their own sunshine.'
He also noted that Elliott has introduced him to new interests, such as Kendrick Lamar's music and WWE wrestling, with Fry admitting he has bought tickets for WrestleMania. The couple, who have kept a low profile in recent years, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in January, with Fry posting a tribute on Instagram calling himself 'a lucky man'.
The Assembly continues on ITV1 and ITVX, offering a platform for unfiltered conversations with celebrities.
