To passively talk about Sarah Millican’s successful ascent to comedy fame without referring to Andrew Millican, her ex-husband, feels misplaced. Andrew Millican, unbeknownst to him, was directly responsible for launching one of the supper club circuit-to-stand-up comedy’s most fruitful careers. Their marriage and sudden end became a sturdy launching pad for Sarah’s leap into the world of entertainment.
Early Life and First Meeting
How Sarah and Andrew Met
Andrew Millican, a former civil servant, worked for the Department for Work and Pensions in Newcastle. The couple met in 1994 when Sarah Millican, then 21 years old and a secretary at a job centre, was simply known as Sarah. Both were working in Government jobs when they crossed paths in the mid-1990s.
Sarah met Andrew, then 21, at their workplace, a Cinema on the outskirts of Newcastle. The couple’s professional backgrounds in civil service created common ground for their relationship.
The Early Years Together
Andrew Millican, a South Shields native, grew up in the coastal town in the northeast of England. He went to South Tyneside College where he studied business and management. His business education gave Andrew no problems in the business world until he met Sarah.
The Marriage: 1997-2004
Wedding and Early Marriage
They married three years later, on November 5, 1997, and settled in a modest flat in South Shields, Tyne & Wear. She was married on 5 November 1997 but divorced in 2004 and moved back in with her parents for two and a half years.
Signs of Trouble
Andrew and Sarah’s relationship flourished for a stable eight years before they separated on March 21, 2004. Despite the relatively long period of stability, Sarah would later disclose the marriage had issues, which she did not understand at the time.
The Shocking End: When Andrew Left
The Devastating Departure
The night before their seventh anniversary, Andrew told Sarah he didn’t love her anymore, and he was leaving her for someone else. He packed his bags and left, leaving Sarah heartbroken and alone. The timing made the betrayal exceptionally painful.
The two divorced in 2004, after he unexpectedly left her – but it was the break-up that inspired her to pursue a career in comedy. In her book, she opened up about her past marriage – revealing that he just “got up and left” her.
Sarah’s Complete Shock
Later Sarah stated she had no idea Andrew was unhappy or having an affair. She said he never offered her a chance to work on their marriage or save it. His immediate departure devastated her emotionally.
Sarah’s Mental Health Struggle
The Immediate Aftermath
Sarah was crushed from his abandonment and betrayal. Sarah returned to her parents home after struggling with depression and anxiety. The divorce forced her to rebuild her whole life from scratch.
Long-term Impact
Sarah said in a podcast, “In the moment, I cry a lot. At random times. I’ve had a counsellor for a long time and will always, because I kind of think they help me and I am really interested in how my brain works”. The effects of the divorce continued to impact her mental health years later.
When I got divorced I knew I needed someone to talk things through, I didn’t really want to. I wanted to talk things out so that if I were ever to be in an opportunity to meet someone new, I would be prepared and I would be in a great place mentally.
Sarah’s Current Perspective on Andrew
Acknowledging the Positive Impact
She stated to the local newspaper in 2012, “Did you ever imagine if he hadn’t left me, I’d still be in that job I hated, sitting in a damp flat watching telly”. Sarah has publicly acknowledged that her divorce launched her comedy career indirectly.
She also started to see a counsellor, which led her to see the funnier side of the breakup. “I wanted to talk about it with someone who could help me fix myself,” she said.
Using Pain for Comedy
“She was brilliant and kept telling me that what I’d said was actually really funny, and could actually turn into a joke”. Sarah’s counselor helped Sarah convert the emotional pain into jokes.
What Happened to Andrew Millican?
Life After Divorce
Since the divorce, Andrew has mostly stayed out of the limelight,but has refused to ignore it. He has kept his head down and while he has been focused on his career, his business skills have led him to achieve something worth while in Corporate World. Unlike his ex-wife, Andrew opted for privacy instead of publicity.
He has almost completely dropped off the radar since getting divorced from Sarah. He hasn’t shown any signs of depression or guilt, he hasn’t done any interviews or said anything. Andrew’s total non-presence in the public eye is unbroken.
Current Whereabouts Unknown
We don’t know where Andrew Millican is living, and there is no new information about a second wife. According to his sister, Michelle Millican, he may have changed his name. His family members are not giving any information about his new life.
We do not know if he has remarried or fathered any children as far as we know. Andrew is still largely a mystery since his divorce.
Sarah’s New Life with Gary Delaney
Meeting Gary Delaney
Andrew got brought up in a 2014 episode of BBC 4’s Desert Island Discs with Sarah Millican. Millican told us that she met Delaney at her “second ever gig” in 2006. Sarah Millican’s husband is actually Gary Delaney, a fellow comedian noted for clever one-liners.
Building a New Relationship
The couple were living separately from each other until 2013 when they moved in together and got married. Sarah Millican took awhile to go slow with this new relationship after the trauma from her previous one.
The Secret Wedding: 2013
Surprise Marriage Announcement
Thrilled to announce that @garydelaney and I got married last weekend. We are loved up and beaming. X Sarah announced via Twitter on January 3, 2014. The couple tied the knot in 2013 shortly after Christmas.
Gary’s Confirmation
Her new hubby also took to twitter to confirm that 38 year old Sarah wasn’t telling porkies, tweeting: “It’s true. We did.”
Current Family Life and Marriage
Professional Partnership
Gary Delaney was born on 16 April 1973 in Solihull, England. Like his more famous wife Sarah Millican, Gary also appears on panel shows, including Mock The Week.
Their Philosophy on Marriage
The comedian wrote, “You need to be with somebody that you find funny and that finds you funny, ’cause I don’t know how you get through the s****er bits of a relationship and the hardness of life otherwise, I don’t know how you do that, without having a laugh.”
Living Arrangements and Privacy
They have both gone through the ups and downs that can accompany a career in stand-up comedy, and their understanding of each other’s work can only strengthen their connection. As celebrities, Sarah and Gary have kept their public life private and away from the media, possibly to ensure their marriage stays out of the limelight.
Public Relations Between Ex-Spouses
Amicable Relationship Claims
Following their divorce, Andrew and Sarah still manage to stay friends, and Sarah has actively discussed it publicly, noting how amicable their breakup was and how they are both moving on to new and happy parts of their lives. But that comment seems to conflict with other claims regarding Andrew’s complete withdrawal from public life.
Different Paths Taken
While Sarah has gone on to be both famous and happy, Andrew has remained anonymous and unhappy. Sarah has demonstrated that she is not only a fantastic comedian, but a life champion too. What a dramatic contrast to their lives after divorce.
Legacy and Impact
The saga of Andrew Millican and her ex Sarah Millican shows us how some of the most painful events in our lives can be a stimulus for extraordinary success. Though Andrew chose to be private and secluded after their divorce, Sarah chose to use that heartbreak to start a comedy career that has since entertained millions.
When Andrew walked away from their marriage, it felt like a disaster. Little did he know that he would unintentionally set his ex-wife Sarah Millican on a course from civil service to beloved comedian. Where Andrew is now is unknown. But the impact is endless through Sarah’s success.
Sarah’s new husband Gary Delaney represents a healthy change from her trauma. The most important part is mutual respect, mutual professional understanding, and the knowledge that comes with fighting through heartbreak. Sarah still engages in therapy and discusses mental health in open conversations and her struggle for and attainment of success remind us that healing is an ongoing process, no matter the external and public achievements.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled from public records, interviews and media reports concerning Sarah Millican’s personal life and career. Information specific to her ex husband Andrew Millican is limited, due to his actions to remain private following their divorce. The most accurate representation of his whereabouts and situation are found from public records and does not reflect his overall situation. Sarah Millican’s comments regarding her marriage and divorce come from her interviews, autobiography or public appearances. This publication respects and supports the personal space of either participant, whilst attempting to specify what is publicly available fact.