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Stephen Fry Opens Up on The Assembly About Marriage, Mental Health and Past Cocaine Use

A no‑filter format led by neurodivergent interviewers drew unusually frank answers from the actor.

Overview

  • Fry’s episode, which aired Wednesday at 10.05pm on ITV1 and ITVX, put him before a panel of autistic, neurodivergent and learning‑disabled interviewers who asked unrestricted questions.
  • He spoke about a past suicide attempt and said he once felt “in agony” and “didn’t want to live,” while describing bipolar as an illness that comes in cycles like the weather.
  • He discussed former cocaine addiction, saying the drug cost about £60 a gram at the time and that he “probably wasted thousands,” after questions that also referenced his past claim of using the drug near Buckingham Palace.
  • He defended his 30‑year age‑gap marriage to Elliott Spencer, saying love is what matters, and added that Spencer “has all the power” in their relationship because he trusts his husband’s decisions.
  • He laughed off a direct question about sexual preferences and declined to answer, a moment that typified the show’s blunt style as the series returns with guests including Nicola Sturgeon, Lenny Henry, Anna Maxwell Martin and Aitch.