Comedian and television personality Ruby Wax has spoken out passionately in defence of people living with serious mental health conditions, insisting Britain should show compassion rather than demanding people “toughen up.”
The 72-year-old star, known for her outspoken humour and candid honesty, has long shared her own battles with bipolar disorder and depression. She was diagnosed in 1993 at the age of 40 while pregnant with her third child, an experience that dramatically reshaped her life and career.
Ruby’s comments come after the government’s work tsar Alan Milburn warned late last year that Britain could be facing a “lost generation” of people signed off work for what he described as more common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
But Ruby strongly rejected the idea that people should simply become tougher.
Speaking to The Times, she said: “No, you can’t fake bipolar any more than you can fake cancer.”
She also questioned whether the government itself was partly responsible for the growing crisis. Ruby pointed out that if there are not enough psychiatrists available to properly assess conditions such as depression and anxiety, the blame should not be placed on those who are struggling.
“And if the government can’t provide enough psychiatrists to properly test for depression and anxiety, whose fault is that?” she said. “I think this country gets it about right. The cruelty of America is not something to aspire to.”
Ruby recently returned to the headlines after appearing on the latest series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, where she became the fifth contestant to be voted out of the jungle in December following a public vote against actress Lisa Riley.
Despite her early exit, the comedian still delivered memorable moments during the series. Fans were particularly amused when she playfully “snogged” host Declan Donnelly during a live episode of the spin-off show Unpacked, a moment that quickly went viral among viewers.
Now, Ruby is preparing to return to the stage with a brand-new tour that promises a mixture of comedy, behind-the-scenes stories and candid reflections on her career.
The show will see her reunited with longtime friend and producer Clive Tulloh as the pair revisit clips from their past television projects, reveal scandalous behind-the-scenes stories and share memories from decades in the entertainment industry.
The tour begins in Henley-on-Thames on March 25 before travelling across the UK, with the spring leg ending in Bristol on July 7.
Announcing the tour in her signature irreverent style, Ruby joked: “It’s Ruby here – yes, broadcasting live from the jungle, where the Wi-Fi is powered by mosquitoes and my only beauty routine is ‘don’t get eaten’. But fear not! The moment I escape, I’m heading straight back on the road and can’t wait to see you all there.”
Away from the spotlight, Ruby has also spoken openly about her long marriage to television producer Ed Bye.
The couple married in 1988 and have been together for more than three decades, raising three children: Max, Madeleine and Marina.
Ruby has often described their relationship as unconventional, explaining that spending time apart has actually strengthened their bond.
Reflecting on how their romance began, she once wrote: “When I met Ed Bye in 1988, I wasn’t expecting to find my happy-ever-after. I asked Ed if he wanted to marry me, told him I had an opening in my calendar, and gave him a date. I said many men were after me, but I was lying.”
According to Ruby, one of the secrets to their lasting relationship is simple: having enough personal space.
She believes it can be healthy for couples not to spend every moment together, something she says has helped keep their marriage strong for more than 30 years.
