Comedian and actor Matt Lucas, 52, has revealed he has been diagnosed with autism. Lucas shared this personal news publicly for the first time last week during an interview on BBC Radio 2 with fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
Lucas described his experience of autism as requiring a balance between social interaction and periods of solitude. "I enjoy periods of being very sociable, like you are in the theatre, and then I also enjoy those periods of solitude where I can just write on my own," he said. He explained that on his days off from performing, which often involves six days a week in the theatre, he needs time alone to recharge and take a break from social contact.
The public revelation comes as Lucas prepares to take on the role of Fagin in a West End production of Oliver!. He recently surprised viewers with a new look on "The One Show," sporting a beard he grew for the part. Lucas also has a long-standing public discussion about his experience with alopecia, having lost his hair at age six following a car accident. He has previously written about how his baldness has shaped his career, making him distinctive and allowing for transformation through costumes.
Lucas has also been open about his significant weight loss, dropping from an XXL or XXXL size to a medium. He attributed this change to a wake-up call concerning his family's medical history and his father's sudden death at 52. He noted that his size had become a limiting factor in his on-screen presence and that while he has lost weight, he aims to become fitter.
Autism is characterized by difficulties in social, emotional, and communication skills that typically develop before the age of three and persist throughout life. Symptoms can include unusual reactions to sensory input, difficulty adapting to routine changes, challenges with verbal or non-verbal communication, difficulty expressing emotions, and a preference for solitude. Historically, autism was often defined as a severe developmental disorder associated with intellectual disability and language impairments, but expert definitions have broadened in recent years.