Tony Slattery's heartbreaking health battles as cause of death confirmed

Tony Slattery has died aged 65 (Image: Tony Slattery)

Tony Slattery battled with alcohol and drug addiction and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder before his death.

The comedian and actor died aged 65 on Sunday evening (January 12) following a heart attack. Once a household name and one of Britain's most beloved comedians, Tony became known for witty quips.

But in the years before his passing, Tony spent his days away from the limelight and in front of the TV.

In a candid interview with The Mirror back in 2019, Tony admitted that his goal for the following year was to simply "survive".

"You wake up and, if you're alive, cool go from there if you can," he said.

Tony opened up about the daily struggle with his mental health, noting: "I could write you a book on bipolarity."

Tony battled with alcohol and drug addiction throughout his life (Image: EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS)

He acknowledged the complexity of the condition, emphasising the importance of conversation: "But it hugely helps to talk about it to get it out, discuss it."

In the 80s and 90s, Tony was a star, captivating audiences on Channel 4's improvisation show Who's Line Is It Anyway?

Despite being on the road to becoming one of the UK's top stand-up comedians, Tony struggled with his mental health along with drug and alcohol addictions.

In the 1990s, his cocaine habit led to him spending £4,000 weekly. This addiction culminated in a personal crisis in 1996 when he spent six months isolated in his Thameside flat.

During filming of Ahead of the Class in 2005, comedy icon Julie Walters offered Tony some hard-hitting advice, forever etched in his memory.

"She sat me down and said, 'One Tony, I think you're a good actor, but there's a darkness inside you. Two, you smell a bit of vodka. Three... take it easy," he recalled.

Tony was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Image: ITV)

When quizzed about a possible return to comedy TV six years ago, he contemplated: "I think there's a capability in me to be really dangerous and sinister as opposed to just being a light entertainment comedian."

Recalling an interaction with a psychiatrist, Tony recounted being told that he was "mad" after an hour of examination

Tony also battled with depression, adding: "There used to be a huge stigma. I get very annoyed when people talk about happy pills because there's no such thing. Antidepressants can be really useful and effective, but they're not a panacea."

Reflecting on his participation in Stephen Fry's 2006 documentary, The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, the TV star opened up about the broadcaster's significant influence on him.

"Stephen is one of my heroes and he's been hugely influential on my way of thinking," he said. "He's one of the kindest people I've ever met."

Tony was once told that he was "mad" by a psychiatrist (Image: Peter Powell)

Tony shared his home with actor Mark Michael Hutchinson, his "rock" and partner for over 30 years.

Speaking about their relationship, he gushed: "I've been with Marky for 32 years. Oh god, it's still going well. Damn him, he's two months older than I am but looks half my age.

"We've no plans to marry. What's the bloody point? You give your heart to someone else, or you don't."

The couple first crossed paths during their theatre work in Me and My Girl back in 1986. Six months later, Tony asked Mark out.

He explained: "We've never parted since. He is hugely supportive, he's authentic, real. He's my world."

Mark announced his partner's death in a statement which said: "It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening."