Stephen Fry’s close friend has shared details about the star’s response to his cocaine use during a life-threatening situation. The 68-year-old TV presenter was reportedly on the brink of death after a heavy drinking and cocaine session.
His friend, TV writer and comedian Ben Elton, recounted how he urgently took the actor to the hospital in a taxi when he realized the severity of the situation. Doctors informed Ben that Stephen, known for his intelligence, was only moments away from sustaining irreversible brain damage and potentially facing death.
Ben, aged 66, described the alarming incident, mentioning their late-night drinking and cocaine consumption. He emphasized Stephen’s rare indulgence in beer and peculiar organic Belgian drink that they experimented with that night.
Reflecting on the episode, Ben disclosed their excessive smoking habits and Stephen’s cocaine intake, noting that Stephen had been candid about it in his memoirs. Ben expressed concern about the repercussions of Stephen’s drug use on his career, fearing public backlash and legal consequences in 1992.
Despite his initial panic, Ben eventually informed Stephen about disclosing his cocaine use to the medical staff, to which Stephen responded calmly, assuring him not to worry. Ben mentioned how Stephen, though in a dazed state, acknowledged the situation.
Ben admitted that had he stayed longer for another drink instead of seeking medical help for Stephen, the outcome could have been disastrous. These revelations are featured in Ben’s latest book titled “What Have I Done?”
The enduring friendship between the two spans back to their collaboration on Blackadder, where Stephen starred in roles co-written by Ben and Richard Curtis. Stephen portrayed Lord Melchett in the second series and later returned as General Melchett in the fourth series.
The book “What Have I Done?,” authored by Ben Elton, is now available from Macmillan. For more entertainment news and updates, follow Mirror Celebs on various social media platforms.