No laughing matter

Comedy star Tony Slattery tries to beat his long-term mental-health and addiction problems

- HANNAH DAVIES, IAN MACEWAN.

NEW FACTUAL

What’s the Matter with Tony Slattery?

Thursday, BBC2 HD, 9pm

In the late 1980s and early 90s, Tony Slattery was one of Britain’s most high-profile comic performers thanks to improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the film Peter’s Friends and countless other roles on stage, TV and film.

But almost as quickly as he had become a household name, he disappeared from view after a breakdown fuelled by drink and drugs.

He has struggled with depression and alcohol, and now, at the age of 60, Slattery is desperate to get to the bottom of his mental-health and addiction problems.