Lily Allen to take break from podcast Miss Me? over 'spiralling' mental health

Lily Allen has stated that she will be taking a "few weeks" break from her podcast due to her mental health "deteriorating" and being in a "bad way." The pop star-turned-actress revealed on the latest episode of her BBC Sounds show "Miss Me?" with Miquita Oliver that she is going through a "tough time," including panic attacks.

This news comes after reports of her separation from her husband, "Stranger Things" star David Harbour. Allen stated that she is currently "unable to focus on anything other than the pain I’m experiencing." She said on Thursday’s show: “I’m finding it really hard to be interested in anything. I’m just in a really bad way.” She added: “I know I’ve been talking about it for months, but I’ve been spiraling and it’s kind of got out of control. I’ve tried.”

“I went to the 'Miss Me?' Christmas lunch and then had a panic attack and had to go home,” the 39-year-old added. “The other night I went to see a play with my friend… I had to leave at the interval. I literally cannot focus on anything other than the pain that I’m experiencing. It’s really hard.” The singer, who currently lives in the US with her two daughters, went on to say that she is “going away next week,” adding: “You won’t be hearing from me for a few weeks, listeners.”

Despite "rumours" that she was going to rehab, she said that this was not the case and that she has not relapsed. She did not reveal where she was going, but stated that she is "not allowed to have my phone." She said: “They’re not doing us any good. They’re certainly not doing me any good at the moment. I really don’t like my phone.” Podcast co-host Oliver told listeners that she will be "holding the fort" during Allen’s absence and "waiting for the captain to return."

The show, which launched last year, features childhood friends Allen and former "Popworld" presenter Oliver in a bi-weekly "transatlantic chat, discussing the highs and lows of their lives, as well as the biggest cultural events of the week." Allen made her West End debut in "2:22 - A Ghost Story" in 2021 and is scheduled to return to the stage in July at the Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal Bath in a new version of Henrik Ibsen’s "Hedda Gabler" titled "Hedda." She is also reportedly filming a screen adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s comedic novel "Night and Day." The Brit Award winner mentioned in a previous episode that she hoped to return to the studio to record more music later this year.