ben miller this morning© Photo: Rex

Professor T star Ben Miller reveals OCD struggles in candid interview

The actor was appearing on Tuesday's This Morning

Senior Features Writer
September 20, 2022

Ben Miller has opened up about his journey with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) during a candid chat on This Morning.

MORE: All you need to know about Professor T series two

The actor, who is currently starring in the titular role for series two of ITV drama Professor T, was chatting to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about the similarities between him and his on-screen persona when he shared his own struggles.

WATCH: Ben Miller is back as Professor T

"There are similarities, yes," the Death in Paradise actor began. "I've talked about this from the very beginning, I also have OCD, so when I came across this part, it was a very exciting moment for me to play this character."

Ben continued: "My symptoms, I guess you could say, are very different and sort of present in different ways to the professor, and I also had cognitive behavioural therapy to help me, I suppose you could say, ameliorate [them].

MORE: This Morning's Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield break silence on 'queue jumping' controversy

MORE: Death in Paradise star joins the new series of Doc Martin

© Photo: Rex

Ben appeared on Tuesday's This Morning

"It's not the sort of thing that ever goes away, but it's become very liveable. So for me it's very emotional to play this character because he's completely unashamed. I was always very ashamed of my OCD, that's one of the reasons why I got the treatment, [Professor T] doesn't really care. He makes everyone else go along with every single tiny detail of his regime."

The actor, who is also known for his role in Netflix smash-hit Bridgerton, also revealed more emotional ties to the show – explaining how he had original plans to become a professor, and that the character's house in real life is in fact a former friend's home, where the actor wrote his first bit of comedy writing.

MORE: Will the TV schedule go back to normal following Queen's funeral?

© Photo: ITV

The actor is back for series two of Professor T

"I went to Cambridge and I'd have loved to have been a professor!" he told the presenters, before adding later: "The house that plays the Professor's house, if you like, that's where I wrote my first ever comedy sketch.

"It really was truly strange to turn up on the set and say 'Are we filming here?' It was spooky, emotional, the whole show has been very emotional." 

Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more