Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne has spoken emotionally about the death of a former girlfriend from leukaemia. The 47-year-old actor, best known for playing Gavin Shipman in the BBC comedy drama, described the experience as a “very, very sad time” during an appearance on Gyles Brandreth's Rosebud podcast.
Horne, who married Celina Bassili in 2021, revealed that his unnamed ex-girlfriend was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2003 and died in January 2004. He explained that although they had separated about a year before her death, they remained close. “She was a very, very dear friend,” he said. “It wasn’t like a sort of lustful passionate union … We were really close friends and everybody thought that we should be together, and eventually we did.”
The actor described the period as “very difficult” and noted that the connection with his ex-girlfriend was still strong despite their separation. Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow, causing an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells and weakening the immune system.
Horne also spoke about finding love with his wife Celina, whom he met while working on the 2019 Gavin and Stacey Christmas special. He recalled that after his mother passed away, Celina supported him through the grief. “It became very clear that she was the one,” he said. “Our relationship grew and grew, and my love for her grew and grew. I just knew from that experience that I wanted to be with her forever.”
