Gavin and Stacey actor Mathew Horne has shared the heartbreaking story of his former girlfriend’s battle with leukemia, which tragically led to her passing. The 47-year-old star, known for his role as Gavin Shipman in the popular BBC comedy drama, opened up about the emotional turmoil he faced during what he described as an extremely sorrowful period.
During a candid conversation with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth on the Boxing Day episode of Gyles’ Rosebud podcast, Mathew fondly remembered his ex-partner as an “amazing girl.” Recalling their relationship, he revealed that they started as close friends before eventually becoming romantically involved, despite it being a different kind of connection compared to his previous experiences.
The actor disclosed that the woman was diagnosed with leukemia in 2003 and sadly passed away by January 2004. Reflecting on the difficult time, Mathew mentioned that though they were not in a relationship at the time of her death, the bond between them persisted, making it a challenging period for him.
Leukemia, a form of blood cancer that affects the immune system by disrupting normal white blood cell production in the bone marrow, was the cause of his ex-girlfriend’s untimely demise. Mathew later found love and happiness with his current wife, Celina Bassili, whom he married in 2021 in a touching ceremony in Norway.
The couple shared a heartwarming image from their wedding on Instagram, showing them embracing at the venue in Oslo. Prior to his marriage to Celina, Mathew was briefly engaged to Casualty actress Evelyn Hoskins in 2018, but their relationship ended shortly after. Following their split, he found solace in Celina’s unwavering support during a challenging period that included the loss of his mother, solidifying their bond and leading to their enduring love story.
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