Nineties Television Icon Embraces New Career in Mental Health
In a surprising career shift, a prominent television star from the 1990s has announced his departure from acting to pursue a vocation in psychotherapy. Joe McGann, aged 67, renowned for his role as Charlie Burrows in the popular sitcom The Upper Hand from 1990 to 1996, is now training as a psychotherapist and working at a frontline addiction rehabilitation centre in Liverpool.
A Diverse Acting Portfolio
Over a long and varied career, McGann has appeared in numerous television programmes. He portrayed multiple characters on the BBC medical drama Casualty between 1989 and 2024, took on the role of Daz or Jake McIntyre in Doctors from 2005 to 2015, and played Edward Hutchinson in Channel 4's Hollyoaks from 2019 to 2020. More recently, he featured in ITV's crime series Vera and Netflix's mythological drama Kaos.
His Substack channel describes him as an actor, writer, and trainee psychotherapist, highlighting his current work as a caseworker and tutor at the rehab facility. This move marks a significant transition from the entertainment industry to the healthcare sector.
Insights into Addiction and Sobriety
McGann recently shared reflections on his new profession and personal experiences with sobriety. He admitted, "I work as a caseworker at a frontline addiction rehab in Liverpool. You don’t do that job for long without noticing the gap between what people say they believe about addiction and how they behave when it’s standing in front of them." This candid statement underscores the challenges and realities of working in addiction treatment, blending his professional duties with personal insights.
Personal Life Developments
Beyond his career change, McGann's personal life has also seen notable developments. In January 2022, it was revealed that he had separated from his wife, therapist and wellness guru Tamzin, after 16 years of marriage. Reports indicated that he found love again with campaigner Frances Malloy, whom he met in early 2020 during the first COVID-19 lockdown.
In an interview with Liverpool's Silver Magazine, McGann hinted at his new relationship, stating, "Well there's Mum and me, and Minnie the dachshund, and there's also the amazing Frances… before the plague descended, I had met and fallen for Frances, and we were in the very early days of a new – and in both our cases – entirely unexpected love affair." He shared that Frances and her son moved in with him during the lockdown, describing it as a positive experience.
Frances Malloy gained public attention in 2020 after winning an eight-year campaign to ban old tyres on roads, following the tragic death of her 18-year-old son Michael in a 2012 crash. McGann regularly posts about her on social media, referring to her affectionately as "My girl."
Family and Public Perception
Joe McGann comes from a well-known acting family, with brothers including former Doctor Who star Paul McGann and Call The Midwife actor Stephen McGann. Despite his separation, an image of his ex-wife Tamzin remains on his Instagram feed from 2015, leading to initial confusion among fans about his marital status. At the time of the split, representatives were contacted for comment but no further details were disclosed.
This career and personal transformation highlights McGann's commitment to mental health advocacy and his resilience in embracing new beginnings, both professionally and romantically.
