Sharon Horgan, the star of Bad Sisters, recently shared a humorous and relatable story about her early career, revealing how she once nearly gave the iconic British actress Dame Joanna Lumley head lice, or "nits," during a pivotal moment in her professional life. Horgan, who is also a celebrated writer and actor, opened up about this mortifying incident during an appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast. At the time, Horgan was juggling her day job at a job centre while also working on her own radio pilot for the BBC. The recording session for the pilot was attended by none other than Joanna Lumley, best known for her role in Absolutely Fabulous. Horgan confessed that she had unknowingly contracted nits around that time, likely from someone she encountered while squatting in a manor house in North London. The thought of potentially passing them on to the national treasure left her deeply nervous, making the experience feel surreal and like "two worlds colliding."
This story highlights Horgan’s early struggles as she navigated her rise to fame while dealing with the challenges of her personal life. The anecdote also underscores the chaos and unpredictability of her journey, which often saw her balancing unconventional living situations with the demands of her burgeoning career. Years later, Horgan and Lumley would cross paths again in a more professional capacity when Lumley guest-starred in Horgan’s sitcom Motherland, followed by a role in its spin-off series Amandaland. This reunion served as a reminder of how far Horgan had come since those nerve-wracking early days.
In addition to sharing this lighthearted yet cringe-worthy anecdote, Horgan also opened up about her ongoing battle with anxiety, a topic she has become increasingly candid about in recent years. During her conversation with Louis Theroux, she revealed that she now takes beta blockers to manage her anxiety, particularly in high-pressure situations. Beta blockers, which are typically prescribed to treat heart-related conditions, are also commonly used off-label to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart rate and sweating. Horgan explained how the medication has transformed her ability to handle stressful scenarios, describing the profound sense of calm and confidence it has given her. For instance, she recalled feeling entirely at ease while presenting an award alongside her Bad Sisters co-star Eve Hewson at the 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards, a stark contrast to her previous experiences of debilitating anxiety in similar situations.
Horgan’s willingness to discuss her mental health struggles is both refreshing and inspiring, especially given the stigma often surrounding anxiety and medication. By sharing her personal journey, she provides a relatable and humanizing perspective on what it means to live with anxiety and the practical steps one can take to manage it. Her honesty also highlights the importance of prioritising one’s mental wellbeing, especially in industries as demanding and high-stakes as entertainment. For Horgan, beta blockers have not only alleviated her physical symptoms but have also empowered her to embrace opportunities that would have previously left her paralysed with fear.
The conversation on the podcast also delved into Horgan’s personal life, including her reflections on her 14-year marriage to Jeremy Rainbird, which ended in 2019. Horgan admitted that she regrets not ending the marriage sooner, stating that it had become clear the relationship was no longer serving either partner. She acknowledged that the decision to stay in the marriage for as long as she did was influenced by a mix of external pressures and internal conditioning, particularly her Catholic upbringing, which instilled in her the belief that divorce was not an acceptable option. While she does not harbour resentment over the failure of the marriage itself, she expressed frustration with herself for not trusting her instincts earlier. Horgan described the experience as a valuable lesson in confidence and self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of listening to one’s inner voice, even when it goes against societal expectations.
Horgan’s candour about her marriage and her mental health struggles serves as a powerful reminder of the complexity and resilience of the human experience. Her journey—from squatting in a manor house with nits to becoming a renowned actor and writer—is a testament to her ability to navigate life’s challenges with humour, grace, and a commitment to growth. While she admitted that she is still processing the emotional fallout of her divorce, Horgan described her current state of mind as one of overall happiness, gratitude, and renewed confidence in her ability to shape her own future. Her story, filled with its fair share of triumphs and setbacks, is a deeply human and relatable one, reminding us that it’s never too late to embrace change and prioritise our own needs.
In many ways, Sharon Horgan’s life and career reflect the themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness that are woven into so much of her work. From her early days as a struggling artist to her current status as a household name, Horgan’s journey is a powerful testament to the importance of perseverance and the value of embracing vulnerability. By openly discussing her struggles with anxiety, her marriage, and her career,
