Hannah Fry Reveals Cancer Diagnosis, Hysterectomy, and Divorce at 40

Hannah Fry, known for her role in "Celebrity Traitors," has publicly detailed her experience with cervical cancer, a subsequent radical hysterectomy, and a divorce, all occurring before she turned 40. The mathematician, now 42, was diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 36 following a routine screening. The treatment involved a radical hysterectomy, which removed her cervix, uterus, both ovaries, fallopian tubes, and several pelvic lymph nodes.

Fry, who already had two daughters with her then-husband, sports writer Phil Lythell, expressed a sense of regret about not being able to have a third child due to the surgery. "I always wanted to have three, because I was one of three. It's a regret, but it's one I can't be too upset about. I still have two gorgeous girls," she stated.

Her marriage to Lythell ended in divorce in 2022 after nine years. Fry indicated that her health challenges likely contributed to the separation. "I split up with my husband not very long after [the cancer battle], about a couple of years after. And I don't think it was a coincidence," she said, noting that her ex-husband was supportive during her cancer treatment. She described her 40th birthday as a difficult period, being newly divorced and sharing custody of her children.

Despite the divorce, Fry and Lythell have maintained a close relationship, living on the same street. Fry has referred to their separation as a "grade A, gold-star divorce." She is now in a relationship with a new partner, Oli, and has shared anecdotes of her ex-husband and new partner interacting amicably.

Fry's personal experiences have not yet been a focal point on "Celebrity Traitors." However, on a recent episode, she was recruited as a Traitor, joining Maya Jama and James Acaster. Earlier in the same episode, Fry shared her strategic approach to the game with fellow contestant Joe Lycett, explaining her method for identifying potential Traitors. She utilizes a detailed spreadsheet, inspired by Alan Turing's work on cracking the Enigma code, to track and eliminate possible combinations of Traitors based on various game dynamics and contestant interactions.

Her strategy involves calculating all possible combinations of Traitors and then systematically eliminating scenarios based on observed gameplay, such as who is murdered or banished, and seating arrangements at meals. Fry also considers the likelihood of the host, Claudia Winkleman, selecting Traitors of similar profiles. She has even analyzed past seasons of "The Traitors" for statistical patterns in Traitor behavior. Despite her meticulous planning as a Faithful, Fry was surprised to receive a letter of recruitment, transforming her into a Traitor, a role she must now conceal.