Sharon Horgan breaks her silence on romance with co-star Barry Ward following split from The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess
The Bad Sisters creator, 55, split from The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess earlier this year after two years together.
She explained that she first met Barry, 44, in 2019 while filming the coming-of-age comedy Dating Amber, where they played a married couple.
Sharon later cast the Irish actor as her co-star in the smash-hit Apple TV+ series Bad Sisters - though insists their on-screen reunion wasn't a calculated move.
'We met years ago doing a film together, and then became friendly,' Sharon said. 'And then a good few years later - and this wasn't on purpose, by the way - I cast him in Bad Sisters. Honestly, it wasn't on purpose!'
Speaking on the Dinner's On Me podcast with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, she said of their relationship: 'It was unexpected... Being single again at my age is a whole thing.'
Sharon Horgan has broken her silence on her rumoured romance with fellow actor and former co-star Barry Ward as she confirmed they are in a relationship (pictured in May)
Sharon continued: 'And it just feels like so much fun just to meet someone who you can have a laugh with and connect with. It's surprising.'
She also reflected on their nine-year age gap: 'I said ten years for a while, and it freaked me out too much. I don't know why I was rounding up.
'I think initially, I was like, oh, that's exotic - being ten years older. I sort of got off on it. Then I was like, oh no, that's not good.'
Speculation that the pair were more than friends first surfaced in March, when Sharon was reportedly spotted visiting Barry on the set of his new drama Trespasses, a 1970s Northern Ireland-set series co-starring Gillian Anderson.
Barry - known for his roles in Britannia, The Capture, and Jimmy's Hall - played Garda detective Fergal Loftus in Bad Sisters, a shrewd officer with a complicated love life that including dating Sharon's on-screen sister.
Off-screen, insiders claimed their chemistry was hard to miss. 'Everyone around them has commented on their chemistry,' a source told The Sun. 'Sharon and Barry certainly seem to be enjoying spending time together.'
Sharon was previously married to property developer Jeremy Rainbird for 14 years. The pair met in 2004, and she fell pregnant just six months later.
Their real-life whirlwind inspired Catastrophe, her BAFTA-winning sitcom co-starring Rob Delaney.
The couple split in 2019 and share two daughters. Sharon later began dating Tim Burgess, but the relationship ended earlier this year.
She has spoken candidly about the toll of divorce - and the freedom that followed. 'There came a point where it was so clear that it wasn't right for either of us,' she said on the How to Fail podcast.
'You get one life, and that's an awful lot of time to spend on something that's not working.'
In an interview with Red magazine, she added: 'I feel more in control and more independent. I certainly feel happier than I have been in the last few years.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Sun
Coronation Street fans stunned by unannounced huge return after icon disappeared 18 months ago
ONE of Coronation Street's most iconic landmarks made a surprising return to the airwaves this week. Eagle-eyed fans were delighted when The Kabin popped up for a brief cameo during Friday's episode of the ITV soap. 4 4 During a brief scene towards the end of the episode, the iconic hop made an appearance on Corrie, its first since February 2024. The short scene showed George coming out from the back of the shop soaking wet in a white shirt as he was helping Jenny sort the plumbing. While chomping on a sweet Jenny joked that he "looked like that Mr Darcy from Pride & Prejudice," referring to the iconic scene in the vintage BBC series that saw Colin Firth play the character and emerge in a soaked shirt after taking an impromptu dip in the lake. Jenny then continued to flirt with George as she saw the cheeky innuendos in the plumbing terms he was describing to her. As he left the small shop, Jenny flirted with again asking to see him later, but a clueless George failed to catch on. Aside from enjoying the hilarious scene, many Corrie viewers were excited The Kabin's comeback. "Omg Kabin set in use guys first time seen this year !!!!,???" wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter. "It's been a lifetime, but welcome back to The Kabin. We missed you," another added. A third posted: "A scene in the Kabin !!! I say a scene in the Kabin!!!" And a fourth commented: "The returns of Ken Barlow and The Kabin in tonight's #Corrie. What a time to be alive!" The Kabin is a newsagents first made an appearance in 1973 before moving to its current location sits across from the corner shop on the cobbles in 1990. Coronation Street star Frank Grimes dies aged 78 as tributes paid to 'one of Ireland's greatest actors' The Kabin was long run by the iconic duo of Mavis and Rita who had a business partnership for 24 years. The Kabin is currently owned by Brian Packham, with Jenny a sking for a job there in only April this year. 4
Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Strictly rocked by fresh scandal amid 'drug probe' after staffer claims they were offered cocaine by show star during wild alcohol fuelled afterparty
Strictly Come Dancing has been rocked by further scandal after a staffer claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show's stars. This comes amid the revelation that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals. In the latest turn of events a member of the crew, who reportedly worked on show for a decade until 2023, has broken their silence on Strictly's wild behind the scenes parties which they claimed were fulled by drink and drugs. He told The Sun: 'The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there'. He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, a unfazed senior producer told him to 'leave it on my desk' as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. The staff member also said the show's annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially 'big party night' full of debauchery. 'I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes'. A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' Meanwhile one of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath. The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers were known for being a drinker. The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year's show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours. A TV insider said: 'The person in question is renowned for loving to party, and that is a major problem when it impacts on their ability to do the job they need to do on Strictly in a safe and professional manner. 'It's not just about something being illegal or legal, it's about the BBC 's workplace policies and how the behaviour of certain individuals can impact on their work colleagues. 'On a very physical show like Strictly, with lots of sets and moving parts, the idea of someone being intoxicated in any way is wholly unacceptable.' A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: We do not recognise these claims and any suggestion that anyone has been asked to monitor an individual is completely untrue. BBC bosses are reportedly set to offer professional support to two stars of hit dancing show Strictly, amid allegations they took cocaine on the programme. It was revealed the broadcaster has hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals, whose drug use is said to be 'well-known' on the show. The claims were reportedly made in a legal submission to the BBC by law firm Russells back in March, on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans. A source told the newspaper: 'The BBC is taking the allegations really seriously. 'Bosses are aware of the two stars in question and have a duty of care to make sure they're okay. 'As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered.' They added: 'While drug testing won't happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year. 'The BBC needs to be sure nothing illegal is going on. It all depends on what the investigation finds.' The shock allegations come just amid a long period of controversy for the BBC and Strictly over the past year or so. He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones [pictured with Wynne], who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show In July last year, more than six months after quitting the show citing 'personal reasons', actress Amanda Abbington accused pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld. When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni's behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour '. Elsewhere, the show was plunged into crisis after Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January. He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones , who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show. While his co-star John Torode [left] was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of After the BBC launched an investigation into his conduct, bosses decided not to renew his radio contract for his show. The TV star confirmed in May that they will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract following a four-month investigation after the inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly. Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. In separate further controversy, it's recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.
The Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Sun
Patrick Kielty looks downcast as he is spotted for first time since shock marriage split from Cat Deeley
PAT'S PAIN The couple released a statement announcing their surprise split days earlier BROADCASTER Patrick Kielty is pictured for the first time since his shock marriage split from presenter Cat Deeley. The BBC Radio 5 Live host, 54, was casual in jeans and Crocs as he bought groceries, including what looked like a bottle of wine, in North West London. 2 Patrick and This Morning host Cat, 48, released a statement last month to confirm their separation after 13 years. The pair said they would remain 'united as loving parents' to their two young sons and that there was no third party involved. They moved back to the UK from LA in 2020 to start a new life with their two children. But for almost two years, Patrick has been spending most of his time hosting The Late Late Show in Dublin while his wife has been presenting ITV's This Morning in London with Ben Shephard. Cat and Patrick first met while filming Fame Academy in the early 2000s. The pair waited 10 years before turning their relationship romantic, beginning to date in 2011 before getting married in 2012. Patrick, who uses Instagram less frequently than Cat, hasn't posted about her since she first got her job on This Morning back in June 2024. Speculation about their relationship emerged earlier this year when Cat was absent from Patrick's mother Mary's funeral in February. Patrick Kielty 'didn't feel like an equal partner' in failed marriage to Cat Deeley - admitting 'rough patches' they had to work through
