David Mitchell makes heartbreaking admission about wife Victoria Coren

David Mitchell has revealed a heartbreaking confession about the overwhelming sadness that once overshadowed his life. In his memoir Back Story, the Peep Show star admitted that he was “hopelessly in love” with his now-wife, Victoria Coren, for years before they became a couple, but kept his feelings hidden from everyone around him. In an emotional and candid admission, the 50-year-old comedian shared that his unrequited love for Victoria cast a long shadow over his life when she rejected him.

“I was hopelessly in love. I told no one about it,” he discloses in his book. “I didn’t tell my closest friends or my parents of the enormous sadness that overshadowed my life.” It was years before she agreed to go on a date. “I waited three years. Isn’t that weird? Aren’t I odd? I can’t explain it other than to say I couldn’t do anything else,” he says. “If only I’d known I just had to wait three years… I would gladly have suffered ten times as much.”

Despite his heartbreak, the Peep Show star never let on to anyone just how deeply it affected him. His usual awkward, self-deprecating persona hid the pain he felt in his personal life.

“The problem is, I hate the sort of dating thing,” he admits. “I just find it incredibly awkward… I don’t dislike being single enough to put myself through the pain.”

BBC Only Connect host Victoria, 52, had an instant connection with David when they first met at a Haloween Party in 2007, introduced by comedian David Baddiel.

Victoria admitted: "He specifically said to me, 'There’s David Mitchell over there, I think you should probably marry him, I’ll get the ball rolling by introducing you. I thought that was ridiculous but, a couple of hours later, I thought I would probably marry him," reports MSN.

Victoria initially dismissed the idea, but by the end of the evening, she was convinced. Despite their immediate bond, it wasn’t until years later that they went on their first official date.

“I thought that was ridiculous, but a couple of hours later, I thought I would probably marry him,” she recalls.

Although they clicked right away, timing wasn’t on their side. Victoria was still mourning the loss of her father, Alan Coren, who passed away from cancer in 2007.

David patiently waited for the right moment, never pushing her but always holding on to the hope of a future together. Their first official date finally took place in 2010, and they married in 2012.

David has always been open about how deeply he loves Victoria. “I am just incredibly proud that someone like Victoria wants to be with me,” he says.

“She has these amazing qualities, but fundamentally, we clicked. I fell in love with her.” In his memoir, he describes her as “too wonderful” and “too right for me.”

The couple welcomed the arrival of their two daughters—Barbara Elizabeth in 2015 and June Violet in 2023.