Comedian Johnny Vegas has offered a rare glimpse into his relationship with long-term girlfriend Vikki Jones, revealing that she has joined him in his antiques business to spend more quality time together. The couple, who have been together for three years, are now working side-by-side at his Cheshire shop, which is featured in the Quest show "Johnny Vegas' Little Shop Of Antiques."
Vegas, 54, acknowledged that while some advise against working with a partner, the experience has been positive. "They say never work with your partner, but it's great. She and Bev make fun of me most of the time," he told The Times. He also noted that he hasn't intentionally kept his relationship private, stating, "I wasn't keeping it under cover, but I don't share much about it on social media."
The decision to shift focus from stand-up comedy to the antiques business came after the former took its toll on him. "Stand-up was great, but it was manic. The nerves took their toll," Vegas explained. "Never say never, but I just see that as a project that needs to rest."
Previously, Vegas credited his older son Michael with helping him to turn his life around, recalling a period where he engaged in "four-day benders." He stated, "When you have a child, it's suddenly that feeling of, 'I need to be around now and I want to be around.' It's not about you and in a great way that pulls you back from the abyss."
ADHD and Creativity
Vegas also discussed how his diagnosis of ADHD at age 52 has influenced his career. He believes his stage persona originated from a different place and served as a defense mechanism. However, he finds that his ADHD has been beneficial for his art. "ADHD can be hindering with decision-making, timekeeping, and certain anxieties," he said. "It works well with art as you're never short of ideas, it's like catching butterflies - which one will I catch next?"
Vegas has been married twice before. He was married to Kitty Donnelly from 2002 to 2008, with whom he shares a son Michael. He later married Maia Dunphy in 2011, and they divorced in 2020. They share a son, Tom, aged 11.