Tony Slattery died at the age of 65
Comedian Tony Slattery’s past struggles with cocaine and alcohol addiction may have led to his untimely death despite years of sobriety, an expert has suggested.
on Tuesday (January 14) following a heart attack on Sunday (January 12), his long-term partner of nearly 40 years confirmed, reports .
The former Channel 4’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? host had previously opened up about the extent of his battle with addiction. In a candid TV interview in 2019, he revealed that during his darkest times, he would consume 10 grams of cocaine and two bottles of vodka each day.
Despite his “lifelong battle with dark demons”, he managed to overcome his addiction and remained clean for several years. However, an expert suggests that the damage may have already been done.
Ian Hamilton, Associate Professor at the University of York, explained to how cocaine and binge drinking can have lasting effects on the heart.
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An expert claims the star was “killed by cocaine”
He told the pulication: “While it’s good news he was able to overcome and abstain, the damage could already have been done. Particularly with cocaine because it does have an effect on the Cardiovascular system through the heart.
“Unfortunately alcohol is a sneaky drug really – it creeps up on you slowly before causing problems. Cocaine is highly addictive and very damaging to the heart.”
While Mr Hamilton emphasised the importance of seeking help and abstaining from alcohol, he fears that the damage may already have been done to Tony’s body.
The expert revealed that at the peak of Tony’s addiction, if his claims are accurate, he was consuming around 50 units of alcohol daily.
“When you consider that the chief medical officers’ advice is 40 units a week, it’s significantly above the recommended level,” he stated.
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Stephen Fry paid tribute to the late star online
The funnyman’s final photo was captured on Christmas Day. Sharing the family snap on social media he reflected on what he called a “wonderful year” and heartbreakingly toasted to a “healthy, happy new year”.
Dressed in a blue striped shirt that was adorned with tinsel decorated with holly leaves around his neck, he said: “Hello everyone who is watching this, Tony Slattery here. President of the Rambling Club.
“We have had a wonderful year and it’s thanks to you, the listeners and also the Patreon people who keep us going. We are growing exponentially and we love doing it. This is just to say thank you and Merry Christmas.”
He added: “Oh and the guests we’ve had on. We’ve had on Hacker the dog, which was hilarious, Julian Carey from whom I have borrowed this [he shook his tinsel].
“He is in panto but spared it for me. We have got lots of really interesting guests lined up but we will keep that secret for now.”
Sir Stephen Fry, 67, was among those who paid tribute to the late comedian Tony Slattery. He expressed his sorrow over the loss of his friend, who he said had been “snatched” from us.
Sharing a throwback photo on , the former QI presenter wrote: “So very sad to have lost the wonderful Tony Slattery, just about the gentlest, sweetest soul I ever knew. Not to mention a screamingly funny and deeply talented wit and clown.”
He continued: “A cruel irony that fate should snatch him from us just as he had really begun to emerge from his lifelong battle with so many dark demons. He had started live ‘evenings with’ and his own podcast series.
“Lovely, at least, this past year for him to have found to his joyous surprise that he was still remembered and held in great affection.
“While it’s good news he was able to overcome and abstain, the damage could already have been done. Particularly with cocaine because it does have an effect on the Cardiovascular system through the heart.”