Hannah Waddingham has revealed that she only accidentally discovered she was pregnant when she completed a medical exam for the TV show Benidorm – after being previously told it was unlikely she would be able to have children.
The Ted Lasso star, 48, said she was stunned when the medical results came out during the casting process for the Benidorm role in 2014.
Speaking to the White Wine Question Time podcast in 2021 about how she found out she was pregnant, Hannah – who played Tonya Dyke in the ITV sitcom – said: ‘A bit of an accident, really.
“I did my medical for Benidorm and got a letter back saying “blood type this, blah blah that, fertility low, deh deh deh”.
“And I was like ‘woah, woah, woah, what?”. It was just on a form.’
Surprise! Hannah Waddingham has revealed she only accidentally discovered she was pregnant when she took a medical for the TV show Benidorm – after being previously told it was unlikely she would be able to have children in April.
Shocking: The Ted Lasso star, 48, said she was stunned when the medical results came back during the casting process for the 2014 Benidorm role
Accident: Hannah played Tonya Dyke in the ITV sitcom and found out she was pregnant during the casting process
Hannah had previously been told it was unlikely she could conceive, but moved on to share her daughter Kitty, eight, with her ex Gianluca Cugnetto.
The actress – then a regular in theater productions – added that she then decided to rethink her career to suit motherhood.
She said, “I’ve been told I’m unlikely to get pregnant, so when I did she was a precious little thing that had to come to me and I was like, ‘Okay, I have to be with this precious little love. are.” given to me”.’
Hannah realized how difficult it is to combine motherhood with acting in the theater six days a week, plus matinees.
This made her excited to find screen work and wanted it to be as close to her home in London as possible.
She said, “So I’m always very perceptive, and so grateful, that the door to fencing swung open for me then.
Against all expectations! Hannah had previously been told it was unlikely she could conceive but subsequently had daughter Kitty, eight, with ex Gianluca Cugnetto (pictured together in 2015)
Overworked: Hannah realized how difficult it is to combine being a mother with acting six days a week on the theater stage with matinee performances on top
“I did Kiss Me, Kate at the Old Vic and then Derren Litten asked me to come on board for Benidorm.
“I have to give credit to Derren for letting me in, especially in comedy. I got that medical thing through, and during Benidorm I was on a mission to find a way and I went down the homeopathic path and it seemed to work.
‘Her [Kitty’s] dad was like “if this isn’t for us…”. And I was like “No, no, no, there’s nothing wrong with me – I need to see what’s going on here”.
“And gosh, the blessing of being one of those women that turned things around.
“I know two or three of my girlfriends haven’t had that privilege and so I’m well aware of the privilege it is.”
Breakout role: She auditioned for Ted Lasso with no great expectations until she found out the film would be shot in Richmond, half an hour from her home
Major role: She was eager to join the series at the time and was thrilled to land the role, which she has been playing for three years now, where she could work and still stay close to her home and daughter (pictured in show)
She added: “At the time I just thought if I can avoid being away from her – one of my favorite things in the whole world is bath, books and bed – so that’s what I did, and I got the feeling that I am extended that luxury.’
Hanna next played Septa Unella on Game of Thrones nine weeks after giving birth.
With no expectations, she auditioned for Ted Lasso until she found out the film would be shot in Richmond, half an hour from her home.
She was then eager to join the series and overjoyed with the role, which she has now played for three years, where she could work and still stay close to her home and daughter.