Little Britain Star 'Floored'
Little Britain star Matthew Lucas has pulled out of a West End show after learning his former partner committed suicide.
Lucas and former partner Kevin McGee held a civil partnership in the UK in 2006. While the union was dissolved in 2008, it was one of the first high-profile celebrity same-sex divorces and Lucas says he always loved McGee in the wake of 32-year-old’s death.
Police say they were alerted to the suicide when an unusual Facebook status update was posted by McGee. Unfortunately, police arrived at the scene at around 8am, a few hours after McGee had taken his life.
Matt Lucas, who was in rehearsal for a West End production of Prick Up Your Ears, is currently taking time out from his work schedule and has not confirmed that he will return to the stage in time for the musical’s opening night.
The show’s producers told The Guardian that their condolences went out to Lucas. “Our thoughts are with Matt whom we are in constant touch with. Until further notice, his role of Kenneth Halliwell in the West End production of Prick Up Your Ears will be played by his understudy, Michael Chadwick.”
The celebrity pair reportedly met in 2002 and held a lavish, pantomime-themed ceremony in 2006. Following their split, Lucas told media that he was “in a much better place” and that “time was a great healer,” according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
There are a number of suicide prevention support services available in Australia. National helplines include: Lifeline 131114, SANE Helpline 1800 18 7263 and the website Reach Out.
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said on the 7th Oct, 2009
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Travis de Jonk
said on the 7th Oct, 2009