Stephen Tompkinson - Personal Life

Personal Life

Early in his career (1989), he married then BBC radio producer Celia Anastasia (now de Wolff); they divorced amicably after a lengthy separation. In 1998, he became engaged to Ballykissangel co-star Dervla Kirwan, but the couple split in late 1999.

In November 2000, he and Nicci Taylor welcomed the arrival of their daughter, Daisy Ellen, and they married in August 2001. However, it was announced in December 2006 that they had separated and would divorce.

At approximately the same time — and following the sudden and unexpected passing of his mother in 2004 — he made an important change in his lifestyle so he could devote more of his available time and attention to his young daughter. Then, in May 2007, while touring in a production of Charley's Aunt, he met his current partner, Elaine Young, in Glasgow. He credits Elaine with making "the most enormous difference" in his life. "She's calmed me down and made me worry less about the future. I used to be a terrible worrier — about my career, about life in general — but she's helped me realise you can't enjoy the here and now if you're always thinking about what might happen tomorrow."

He is completely devoted to and immensely proud of his daughter, Daisy. Despite his demanding professional life, he stays in constant, daily contact with her via Skype, from wherever his work takes him.

"I actually helped deliver her into this world, which I think makes for a very special bond between father and child....Being a dad is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me....She is the complete core of my life. She has made me feel so much more fulfilled and grounded."

And on another occasion, "The most romantic and wonderful thing that has ever happened to me was being at the birth of my daughter Daisy and being able to deliver her. It doesn't get any more emotionally involved than that. Daisy is...my reason to get up at ridiculous times and do ridiculous things for a living."

When asked if Daisy (age 10 at the time) shows any signs of wanting to be an actor, he replied:

"She is really, really funny; she's got great comedy timing and tells great jokes. She makes them up herself. Sometimes I look at her and think 'How old are you?' 'Have you been here before?' She's spectacular. I love seeing the world through her eyes. She's fantastic company so I try to spend as much time as I can with her." And speaking of Daisy in an interview in September 2011, Stephen said, "The worst thing that could happen to me is I would be parted from her."

At age 9 Daisy designed the hot air balloon that carried her Dad safely across two continents, and he named it "Daisy" in her honor. The balloon fittingly bears the brilliant red and white colours that are the Home Colours of "Boro" — the Middlesbrough F.C. — which her father has loyally supported since boyhood, a passion he inherited from his dad. "I'm a Boro fan through and through. I'm a long-time Boro fan, a long-suffering Boro fan."

"My parents used to take me to the games when I was about seven or eight years old, every other weekend or so. I have great memories of that time, when Jack Charlton was in charge of the team. He spoke to me once and I remember running home and shouting 'Mam! Jack Charlton spoke to me — with his mouth!' I don't know what else he would have spoken to me with!"

He is also an avid cricket fan. He once said that if he wasn't an actor he "wouldn't mind travelling the world as a cricket commentator, enjoying endless summers." And in 2008 he wrote an article for The Wisden Cricketer titled "Darren Gough: My Dazzling Mate" that demonstrates he could have been quite as successful in that role as he has been in his acting career. The article is included in the book My Favourite Cricketer, edited by John Stern.

While filming the Australian Balloon Adventure, he indulged in a bit of bragging:

"We had a game of cricket against the local winemakers. Suddenly there was an Australian bowler with sun cream on his nose who was trying to take my head off with a cricket ball. But, he didn't and I smacked his bowling all around the ground. I scored 37 runs and I took three wickets, so I had a very good day! It was my own private Ashes and I took the ball home."

For relaxation he enjoys reading, long walks, and of course — watching movies. He loves to travel and tries to go to a new place every year. What has he learned from his extensive travels? "To have a positive attitude and let things come to you. You shouldn't strive too much to achieve things and then the trip becomes yours." What does he need for a perfect holiday? "Family and good books. I like taking Stephen Fry with me, or P.G. Wodehouse and A.A. Milne, because I like the escapism of comedy and they celebrate our uniqueness." What does he always take with him? "I always take a cheerful disposition and a politeness — because I am an Englishman abroad — and openness to other cultures."

Despite his extraordinarily successful and varied career in front of the camera and live audiences, he has said of himself, "Like most actors I hide behind the character because I'm very shy." Consequently, he tends to keep a low profile and appears in public or talks to the Press only when it is either "about the work I am doing or an interview to help promote the work."