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Tara McKillop in spotted dress standing with Lee Mack in a tuxedo© Stuart Wilson/BAFTA

Lee Mack's private life – from stunning wife to children who cameoed in hit show

The 1% Club host is a father-of-three

Francesca Shillcock
Senior Features Writer
Updated: December 10, 2024
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Lee Mack is perhaps best known for his role as Lee in the hugely popular BBC show Not Going Out, but the actor and comedian is also the host of his own game show The 1% Club.

Alongside his glittering television career, the father-of-three has a loving family life away from the camera. The star is married to his university sweetheart, while his two eldest children have both appeared in his BBC hit drama.

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: See the trailer for The 1% Club

Want to know more about his family? Here's what we know…

Wife Tara

Lee has been married to his wife Tara McKillop for over 15 years. Lee and Tara met while they were both studying at Brunel University in 1996.

The couple married in a private ceremony in 2005 just one year after welcoming their first child, Arlo.

Tara McKillop standing with Lee Mack© Fred Duval
Lee and Tara met while studying in university

Lee has previously joked about how beautiful his wife is, with some believing that she married the star for his money. On a podcast, he revealed: "We talked the other day with Roisin Conaty. Her sister met Tara and said, 'I assume you two have been together after you became a comedian and got a bit of money'.

"And I said 'No, no, we met before I ever was a comedian when we were at university.' And do you know what she said? 'Did you save her life or something?'"

Children

Alongside Arlo, Lee is also the father of a daughter Millie and a second son, Louie. Speaking to Radio Times in 2017, the 51-year-old revealed that despite his success from Not Going Out, his wife and kids aren't particularly invested.

"They're really not bothered whether it’s on or not," he said. "My wife doesn't really watch it and although my eldest has just started to, it's not his favourite show by a long way – and why would it be?"

 Lee Mack (L1), Tara McKillop (C) and guests attend the European Premiere of Cirque du Soleil's "Kurios: Cabinet Of Curiosities" at Royal Albert Hall on January 18, 2023 in London, England© Getty
The comedian's children Millie, Louie and Arlo tend to stay out of the spotlight, but made a rare red carpet appearance with his dad in 2023

He continued: "The only feedback I get from him is the occasional slightly arched eyebrow if he likes one of my character's jokes. That's high praise in my house. He did actually appear in the 2013 Christmas special."

The actor also explained that his family life often inspires the storylines for the comedy. "The truth is I just wanted to write a sitcom about what I am in real life, which is a husband and dad of three kids." 

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