Celia Imrie, known for her role in BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, took a unique path to motherhood as she had no interest in marriage or dating. The 73-year-old actress, alongside Alan Carr, Charlotte Church, Kate Garraway, and others, believes her acting background gives her an edge in the game. She shared personal details about her unconventional family arrangement with the late actor Benjamin Whitrow, with whom she had a son named Angus.
Imrie disclosed that she approached Whitrow in her 40s to have a child but did not expect him to be involved in raising their son. Despite their unconventional agreement, Whitrow played a significant role in Angus’s life until his passing in 2017. The actress described their relationship as a mix of friendship and romance, emphasizing her commitment to raising Angus independently.
Prior to Whitrow’s death, Imrie had clarified that they were just friends, respecting his previous family life. She recounted the moment she proposed her terms for having a child with Whitrow during a beach walk, expressing her desire for independence in raising their son. Imrie’s memoir, Happy Hoofer, reflects on the honesty and clarity of their arrangement, highlighting that Whitrow embraced fatherhood wholeheartedly.
Imrie has consistently stated her preference for friendship over romantic relationships and marriage. In a 2013 interview, she expressed her aversion to boredom in relationships, emphasizing her focus on meaningful connections rather than traditional commitments. The actress’s story sheds light on the complexities of modern family dynamics and unconventional paths to parenthood.