Stephen Mangan, the host of ITV's new game show The Fortune Hotel, has spoken candidly about the profound impact of his mother's death when he was 21. The actor, known for roles in Green Wing and Episodes, revealed on the White Wine Question Time podcast that his mother died of bowel cancer six months after diagnosis, aged 45. He described watching her decline as 'a profound and very, very vivid demonstration of how fragile we are'.
Mangan said he 'hid' for three years after her death while studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. 'I could hide from the world for three years because I was really grieving and my whole life was thrown into chaos,' he explained. His father also died of a brain tumour at age 63. The actor later purchased an £800,000 country house, which he has described as a sanctuary for his family.
Mangan is married to actress Louise Delamere, known for No Angels and Holby City. The couple, who wed in 2007, have three sons: Henry, Frank, and Jack. Delamere has largely stepped away from acting, with her last role in 2016's Houdini & Doyle. Mangan's sister Anita is a well-known illustrator and has worked on children's books, including some written by Stephen.
The TV star also revealed his addiction to running, calling it his 'happy place'. He told The Times: 'Running is about as good as it gets for me. It's my happy place and it fills me with joy. Whatever it does for me, I'm just pleased it's that and not heroin, although running can feel like a religious experience.'
