Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne recently shared a deeply personal story, revealing the loss of a former partner to leukemia. The revelation came during a conversation on Gyles Brandreth’s Rosebud podcast, offering a glimpse into a painful chapter of his life.
Horne described a close friendship that blossomed into romance, a connection that felt natural to those around them. “We were friends; we were very close friends, and everybody thought that we should be together,” he recalled, admitting that eventually, they did give their relationship a chance.
The joy of that connection was tragically cut short. His former partner received a leukemia diagnosis in 2003, and the illness progressed rapidly. “By January 2004, she was gone,” Horne shared, his voice reflecting the enduring sadness of the loss. They weren’t actively together at the time, having spent about a year apart, but the bond remained strong.
He remembered it as a profoundly “difficult time,” acknowledging the deep connection they shared even after their paths diverged. He spoke of her simply as a “very, very dear friend,” choosing to keep her identity private while honoring her memory.
The conversation then shifted to his current happiness, reflecting on his marriage to set designer Celina Bassili in September 2021. He described how Celina became his unwavering support during a particularly dark period – the loss of his mother.
“Then I lost my mum, and Celina stood by my side throughout what was a really wretched time,” Horne explained. That shared experience solidified their bond, leading him to realize he wanted to spend his life with her. Their connection had “grown and grew,” blossoming into a deep and lasting love.
Their wedding, held in Norway, was a whimsical and intimate affair. They exchanged vows in a woodland ceremony, surrounded by the beauty of a 1930s mansion’s grounds, with the bride adorned with a wild bouquet and floral crown.
Before Celina, Horne’s romantic life included relationships with songwriter Laura Marling and Amber Le Bon. He even playfully dismissed rumors of a fling with Kylie Minogue, calling it a harmless crush that never materialized.
Horne’s career continues to flourish, most notably with his iconic role as Gavin in the beloved BBC comedy, Gavin and Stacey. The recent Christmas special drew a staggering 12.3 million viewers, marking it as the most-watched program on Christmas Day in over a decade.
His openness about both past heartache and present joy offers a poignant reminder of life’s complexities and the enduring power of love and loss.
