Miranda Hart reveals disease left her bed-bound and caused 'years of suffering'

The comic actress and writer, who found fame in her own sitcom, has been suffering from chronic fatigue for years - but has now found happiness in a new marriage

Comedian Miranda Hart has opened up about her battle with chronic fatigue following a diagnosis of Lyme disease. In her latest book, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, she gives an honest account of the past decade, including the health challenges she faced.

The autobiography also provides a rare glimpse into her private life, revealing that she tied the knot at 51. Speaking to the BBC, the star, best known for her self-titled show Miranda, admitted it had been a "tough few years", but expressed joy over her marriage and eagerness to return to comedy.

In the TV series Miranda, Hart and her on-screen sidekick Stevie (played by Sarah Hadland) portrayed childhood friends running a joke shop. "It’s so nice to be back in television, I feel very excited to be here," she shared on The One Show.

"Because once you’ve been bed and house-bound with a fatigue-based chronic illness that takes a long time to be diagnosed - which sadly I know a lot of people will know - you miss life a lot. So I’m thrilled to be sitting here."

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through a tick bite. If detected and diagnosed early, the disease can be easily treated, but for a long time, the actor was unaware of what was causing her ill health.

It often starts with a circular rash and can lead to flu-like symptoms, nerve pain, and sometimes facial palsy on one or both sides of the face. While most people experience short-term symptoms that can be treated with antibiotics, a minority suffer from long-term issues such as chronic fatigue and unexplained neurological problems.

The celebrity revealed how difficult she found being housebound for an extended period. "Unless you’ve had fatigue [like that], you don’t understand what literally not getting off the floor is," she shared with BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"I was basically bed-bound - and housebound. There’d be times where I'd look at a glass of water, and think ‘I don’t know how to pick that up'."

She expressed the deep human need for recognition and support, especially in medical situations: "All anyone wants is to be heard, accepted, loved and seen... and when you’re not - particularly in a medical situation - it’s the worst."

She also discussed her reasons for writing her book, which was to share the wellness strategies that aided her recovery. "I thought I need to research this whole wellness expertise and dialogue that's out there, but I was at bed at home alone, the doctors didn't know what to do with me and I couldn't have a cold plunge or go on a yoga retreat."

She added, "So I thought what are the universal truths? So I did years of research, when I felt able to, and in the book there are 10 keys, which I call my treasures, to living well."

"And they've really genuinely [helped]. I feel like despite the suffering it came from, that I’m living a life of joy and meaning and fulfilment in a way I never have before."

"I feel like I know who I honestly am, in a way that I never knew I needed to, which is just incredible."

When she finally received her diagnosis, she could link the condition back to her teen years. "Probably when I was about 14 or 15, I got a tick-borne illness... and that's when my symptoms started," she remembered.

"It was such a relief. I mean, being misunderstood and misjudged is one of the hardest things about these kind of conditions. For sure."

Beginning her career on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe in the early noughties, she remains widely celebrated for her role as the love-challenged and socially uneasy Miranda in her self-titled TV sitcom, airing from 2009 to 2015. However, away from the camera, Hart has found personal happiness.

At 51, she delightedly shares that she married a man she met during lockdown. "Getting married in mid-life is a full injection of joy and fun," she expressed enthusiastically.

"It’s the best! " "He's my best friend, we have the best fun... The fact that I could meet somebody - it's not a rom-com story but it’s hope, and that's why I think, whatever situation you're in, there's always hope that things really do change."

Miranda Hart is set to return to the limelight after a period of rest and recovery, with her new husband's support bolstering her enthusiasm for fresh ventures. Speaking about resuming her career, Miranda expressed her eagerness: "I’m really keen to get back to some silliness now, I miss the studio floor, I miss laughter."

Post-show, she was moved by the reaction of her fanbase, describing it as "really very touching".

In an external video posted on platform X, Miranda gushed: "I've got my best friend to do life with and it's wonderful, and I'm also utterly thrilled to be back in telly land and having a book out, so thanks so much for all your support."

The video concluded with Miranda sharing what was described as an "exclusive" - a symbolic high-five with her husband, whose hand alone was visible. Her upcoming book titled 'I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You' is set to release on 10 October.

Fans can access Emma Barnett's interview with Miranda from BBC Sounds.