Matt Lucas's ex 'had 5g-a-day coke habit'

Drug addiction and debt may have contributed to Kevin McGee's suicide

Marie Claire News: Matt Lucas and Kevin McGee
Marie Claire News: Matt Lucas and Kevin McGee

Drug addiction and debt may have contributed to Kevin McGee's suicide

Cocaine addiction and debt may have contributed to the suicide of Matt Lucas's ex-husband Kevin McGee.

Kevin was found hanged at his flat on Monday morning, just hours after posting a suicide note on Facebook.

Matt is said to be 'utterly destroyed' by the news of his former partner's death and has pulled out of the West End play he is currently starring in 'until further notice'.

Friends and neighbours in Edinburgh are said to be shocked by the news of Kevin's death.

The 32-year-old was described as 'a nice guy with no signs of any obvious problems', one told The Mirror.

But speculation is mounting that drug addiction and debt may be behind his suicide.

Some of Kevin's neighbours say he told them he had money worries and was struggling to pay his mobile phone bill, reports the Daily Mail.

Kevin was also reported to have a heavy cocaine habit, 'taking up to 5g of cocaine a day during binges costing £250 a time,' a friend told the paper.

Matt, 34, is also said to have paid for Kevin to go into rehab for his problems.

'It was all very hush, hush and he told a few people he'd had an MRI scan. But the rumour going around their friends at the time was that Kevin had been persuaded to get treatment for his problems,' added the source.

The couple met in 2002 when Kevin was working as a TV producer and Matt had yet to find fame with Little Britain. They married in a civil ceremony in 2006 with a panto-themed wedding reception in London.

But 18 months later, the couple had split up and were divorced in January this year.

Matt was being comforted by his comedy partner David Walliams at his home in London yesterday. Friends including comic Jimmy Carr and TV presenter Dale Winton also arrived to offer their support.

The Little Britain star has pulled out of his lead role in Prick Up Your Ears, confirmed the play's producers yesterday.

The play tells the tragic story of suicidal writer Kenneth Halliwell who murders his gay lover Joe Orton.

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