Holby City star Lee Mead has told how he hasn’t earned a penny this year after his job opportunities were thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The actor, 39, revealed he had theatre and cruise ship work slated for this year, however it was all cancelled due to the global crisis which struck in March.
The West End star admitted to the Sun that he regrets leaving Holby three months before Covid-19 hit, because it would given him a steady income.
Candid: Holby City star Lee Mead has told how he hasn’t earned a penny this year after his job opportunities were thwarted by the coronavirus pandemic
He told the publication: ‘It’s been a tough year financially, as everything was pulled, including a tour, cruises and corporate work, so I’ve literally had no financial income all year and I’ve pretty much lived off savings.
He added: ‘It’s been very stressful, I’m not going to lie, but my family and my partner Izzy have been an amazing support.
‘They’ve picked me up and helped me through it. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, because we’re healthy and safe and I’ve managed to keep my home.’
The entertainer admitted he has pals in ‘less fortunate’ positions and have lost their home and now are living with relatives to support them.
Change of plans: The actor, 39, revealed he had theatre and cruise ship work slated for this year, however it was all cancelled due to the global crisis which struck in March (pictured on stage in Cinderella in 2016)
The star, who was discovered on BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, saw the positives of the situation and admitted it has meant he could spend plenty of time with partner Izzy, daughter Betsy and his stepson Alfie.
Lee has spent the past five years of his career playing Ben Chiltern in Casualty and then latterly Holby City. He admitted he thought he had done all he could with the character
He said: ‘I had some amazing storylines and did some great stuff, so it felt natural to move on, but I slightly regretted it, because the plan was to go into this year doing a tour, and lots of work and concerts and sing live again and then in March the lockdown hit, so I literally couldn’t do any of the shows.’
Despite his tricky year things appear to be on the up for Lee, who has just released a Christmas single – In My Arms for Christmas – and is taking part in a pantomime.
Lee, who shares Betsy, 10, with his ex-wife Denise van Outen, will be spending Christmas Day this year with Izzy, Betsy and her son Alfie.
In 2018 Lee revealed he had found love again, nearly five years on from his marriage split, with a blonde beauty who looks strikingly similar to his former flame.
The star said romance blossomed with Issy when he ran into her in a coffee shop after he picked his daughter Betsy up from school.
Of their initial meeting he said: ‘We got on really well, but it was a while before I plucked up the courage to ask her on a date.
‘She’s a lovely woman and she’s a parent as well, which I think helps. She’s based in Kent and she’s not in the same business as me; I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing!’
‘I’m not one to rush into relationships and I was single for six years, but it’s nice to have found someone. We’ve been together just under a year and it’s going really well. We had a nice weekend together recently and we’re very happy.’
Lee, who is based in Southend said that he and Denise, who has been dating Eddie Boxshall for six years, had put the difficult times behind them and were now firm friends, devoted to co-parenting their only child.
Lee said that Betsy is his sole focus, and admitted he has turned down work, including a lead role in a nationwide tour of Sunset Boulevard, to make sure he was there for his daughter.
Pictured: Lee with his ex-wife Denise Van Outen and their daughter Betsy, nine
Denise had married Lee in the Seychelles in 2009, after meeting on the 2007 TV show Any Dream Will Do where she was a judge and he was a contestant.
The pair went on to welcome daughter, Betsy in 2010.
However, Denise confirmed they had parted ways in June 2013 – just six months after being named the runner-up on Strictly’s tenth series.