Leigh Francis, known for his iconic comedic roles as Keith Lemon and Bo’ Selecta!, has shared his deeply emotional journey following the tragic death of his father. In a candid interview, the 53-year-old comedian reflected on the devastating loss of his father, who passed away from throat cancer at the age of 47.
“I Was in Shock”
In a 2024 interview, Leigh revealed that despite knowing his father had been ill for two years, the loss still hit him like a thunderbolt. “I was in shock,” he admitted. “Even though he’d been ill for two years, initially I felt angry that I’d lost a parent.” The grieving comedian explained that he withdrew from social life, not wanting to burden his friends with his pain.
One of his friends had told him, “I didn’t call you because I didn’t want you crying and embarrassing yourself,” a remark that Leigh said he appreciated, as it made him laugh during a time of profound sadness.
Emotional Struggles and Feeling “Underwater”
Leigh’s father’s death forced him to face a much more somber reality. In his memoir, Leigh, Myself And I, he described the emotional aftermath as nothing short of devastating. “It was a shock when he died, I had to grow up,” Leigh wrote. “Life suddenly wasn’t all silly fun and games. He passed and I freaked out.”
The comedian likened the experience to being submerged underwater and repeatedly punched in the face. “It felt like I was underwater, being punched in the face, I’m sure I blacked out a few times from all the emotional punches,” he recalled. “Everything in the world was just different.”
“The Hardest Thing I’ve Ever Done”
Leigh continued to speak candidly about his grief during an appearance on Loose Women in 2024, where he noted the difficulty of being older than his father was when he died. “He was 47 and the weirdest thing is I’m older than my dad now, that’s a weird feeling,” he said, visibly emotional.
Writing about his father in his audiobook also proved to be a painful experience for Leigh. “The audiobook was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he admitted. “There’s a sound producer there, that you don’t know and you’re crying in front of him. I was crying, and he said: ‘Do you want to stop?’ and I said: ‘No, just keep going.’”
Leigh explained that it was when he had to read aloud the parts about his father’s death that the emotions became overwhelming. “I remember tearing up writing it, but saying it out loud and reading it, it was horrific. I felt it.”
Reflecting on the Loss
Leigh, who was just 21 when his father passed away, still finds it hard to talk about the loss. “God, it’s getting serious isn’t it, this is very serious,” he said, before becoming choked up during the interview. “Don’t, I’ll start crying.”
Though the comedian has found humor and joy through his work, he’s never shied away from acknowledging the painful experiences that have shaped him. The loss of his father at such a young age has clearly left a lasting impact, one that continues to influence Leigh’s emotional journey to this day.
Looking Back
Despite the hardship, Leigh has shown resilience and strength in sharing these deeply personal stories. His openness about grief and loss has resonated with many, particularly those who have experienced similar heartache. Through his humor and vulnerability, Leigh continues to offer a glimpse into the person behind the comedic character.
