An intimate look at when the laughter stops

PICK OF THE DAY WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH TONY SLATTERY? BBC2, 9pm

ONE of the most successful comedians of the late 80s and early 90s, Tony Slattery became a household name on improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Part of the Cambridge Footlight set that included Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson, he was a huge star but vanished from our screens in 1996 amid rumours of a breakdown.

For 25 years he has withdrawn from the world, battling with depression and drugs and alcohol.

But now the 60-year-old wants to explore the possibility of a diagnosis.

He says: “A diagnosis is not easy and it is a puzzle, and that’s why I want to get to the bottom of it, not just for me but for anyone else who suffers.”

In this extremely intimate and fascinating film, cameras follow Tony, who lives with his partner of 32 years Mark Hutchinson, as he investigates his mental health.

He’s been diagnosed with depression, but could he have bipolar disorder?

While he kicked his cocaine habit a couple of decades ago, could his alcohol intake still be a concern?

Hugely pained, Tony speaks to experts, opens up about his mood swings, and also meets up with old pal Stephen Fry, someone who has also suffered with his mental health.

There’s an extraordinary moment when Tony opens up about a shockingly painful childhood trauma, and some deeply poignant scenes between Tony and Mark.

Mark says: “It’s tiring, caring for someone, loving someone, who is constantly on the edge.”

Can Tony get what he wants? “I just want to get back into real life,” he says.