Matt Lucas has revealed he is autistic, speaking publicly about his diagnosis for the first time. The 52-year-old actor discussed his neurodivergent needs during an appearance on BBC Radio 2's Romesh Ranganathan show last week, explaining how he manages his career.
Lucas, who is preparing to perform as Fagin in "Oliver!" on the West End starting in October, told Ranganathan that he enjoys "periods of solitude" alongside his more social work, such as in the theatre. "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," Lucas said.
He described how he recharges on his days off from performing six days a week. "On my day off apart from resting and resting my voice and all of that, on my day off I like not to see people and give them a break from me," he explained. Lucas also humorously noted that he doesn't mind being ill, as it provides a necessary break from social interaction. "You know when you are really ill and you have to cancel everything for a week and you lose your voice, I think 'Oh lovely I am ill. I don't have to see anybody,'" he said. "But just to have that recharge time is quite important to me."
This revelation follows recent public attention on Lucas's appearance. Last month, he appeared on "The One Show" sporting a beard, a look he is growing for his role as Fagin. He explained to hosts Clara Amfo and JB Gill that he began growing the facial hair seven weeks prior, noting that he has alopecia and lost his hair at age six. Lucas has been open about his lifelong battle with alopecia, which began after a car accident at that age. He has previously written that losing his hair significantly shaped his childhood and career.
Fans reacted to his altered appearance on "The One Show," with some noting how different he looked. Lucas's upcoming West End run as Fagin, the leader of a group of child pickpockets in "Oliver!," is scheduled for six weeks beginning September 22.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person behaves, interacts with others, communicates, and learns. People with autism may have trouble with social, emotional, and communication skills that typically develop before age three and last throughout a person's life. Common signs include unusual reactions to sensory input, difficulty adapting to routine changes, and challenges in expressing desires or understanding feelings.