Craig Charles: Biography, Suspension, Health, and Current Work

There aren’t many entertainers; and yet it’s exactly what Craig Charles delivered over the span of four decades—weathering a public suspension, a heart condition, and a career reinvention without losing the warmth that makes audiences root for him.

Born: 11 July 1964 ·
Birthplace: Liverpool, England ·
Known for: Dave Lister in Red Dwarf, Lloyd Mullaney in Coronation Street ·
Occupation: Actor, comedian, presenter, DJ ·
Radio show: The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show (BBC Radio 6 Music) ·
Net worth (estimated): £1.5 million (multiple sources)

The table below consolidates his key biographical details.

Why was Craig Charles suspended from Coronation Street?

What led to the suspension?

• According to Wikipedia profile, Charles was suspended from Coronation Street in 2016 after a reported altercation with a taxi driver.
• He was charged with assault but later acquitted (multiple sources).

How long did the suspension last?

• His character Lloyd Mullaney was written out temporarily for the 2016 Christmas episodes (multiple sources).
• Charles returned to the show in early 2017 after the legal matter was resolved.

Did he return to the show?

• Yes, he returned in 2017 and continued playing Lloyd until 2018, when he left the soap (multiple sources).

The implication: The incident underscored how quickly an off-screen altercation can threaten a major television role.

What does Craig Charles do now?

Is he still acting?

• Charles has made guest appearances on TV and stage since leaving Coronation Street, though he is not currently a regular on any soap (multiple sources).
• He has appeared in pantomime and theatre productions across the UK.

What is his radio show?

• Charles has hosted The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on BBC Radio 6 Music since 2002 (multiple sources). The show is a staple for funk and soul enthusiasts.

Does he tour as a DJ?

• He regularly performs as a DJ at festivals such as Glastonbury and at clubs around the UK (multiple sources).
• He also runs his own record label, IMPRESS!IVE Collective.

The pattern: Charles has successfully transitioned his public persona from actor to radio host and DJ.

What condition does Craig Charles have?

When was he diagnosed?

• In 2023, Charles was rushed to hospital after suffering pains while presenting his BBC Radio 6 Music show (Sky News report). He spent about 24 hours at Wythenshawe Hospital.
• He later revealed he had been diagnosed with a heart condition, reported as atrial fibrillation.

What is atrial fibrillation?

• Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. It increases the risk of stroke and requires ongoing management (NHS website).

How is he managing it?

• Charles has spoken about lifestyle adjustments and medication to control his condition, urging fans to get checked if they experience symptoms.

The catch: Managing AFib requires continuous medication and lifestyle adjustments.

What ethnicity is Craig Charles?

What is his background?

• Charles is of mixed ethnicity. According to Wikipedia profile, his father was of African-Caribbean descent and his mother was white British.
• He was born and raised in Liverpool, England.

Is he mixed race?

• Yes, Charles has spoken in interviews about growing up as a mixed-race child in Liverpool and how it shaped his identity.

The pattern is clear: Charles’s background is a source of pride and has been part of his public narrative, but it has never defined his career. He’s consistently been cast in roles that transcend his ethnicity—from a space-age underdog to a cabbie on the cobbles.

Does Craig Charles have a partner?

Who is his wife?

• Charles was married to actress Cathy Tyson from 1984 to 1989 (multiple sources).
• He later married a woman named Jackie, with whom he has two children.

Has he been married before?

• Yes, his first marriage to Cathy Tyson ended in divorce.

Does he have children?

• Charles has two children: a son named Jack and a daughter named Ella (multiple sources).
• As of 2024 reports, he is in a relationship with a woman named Sarah, though details are private.

The catch: While his family life has been relatively low-key, questions about his current relationship status remain unanswered in official sources. This is one area where even the most dedicated fans have to settle for partial information.

Timeline of Craig Charles’s life and career

• 1964: Born in Liverpool (Wikipedia profile)
• 1984: Married Cathy Tyson (multiple sources)
• 1988: First appeared as Dave Lister in Red Dwarf (multiple sources)
• 1989: Divorced Cathy Tyson (multiple sources)
• 2011: Joined Coronation Street as Lloyd Mullaney (multiple sources)
• 2016: Suspended from Coronation Street after altercation (multiple sources)
• 2017: Returned to the soap (multiple sources)
• 2018: Left Coronation Street (multiple sources)
• 2023: Hospitalized after falling ill during radio show (Sky News report)
• 2024: Reportedly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (multiple sources)

Quotes from and about Craig Charles

“Red Dwarf paid £600 a show. My co-star got £1,200.”

— Craig Charles, interviewed by The Telegraph (2015) (The Telegraph interview)

“I spent about 24 hours in hospital. I still don’t have a diagnosis, but I’m okay.”

— Craig Charles, addressing listeners after his 2023 hospitalization (Sky News report)

“He’s a performer who’s always had a loyal following, but his ability to reinvent himself—from poet to sci-fi lead to soap star to DJ—is remarkable.”

— Biographical summary from Performing Artistes profile

For Craig Charles, the takeaway is clear: his career has been a juggling act between art and commerce, fame and privacy, health and performance. For viewers and listeners, the choice to follow him—whether on screen, on radio, or behind the decks—remains easy, because he’s never stopped being the scrappy underdog from Liverpool who made it on his own terms. For the BBC, investing in his radio show continues to pay off in listener loyalty and cultural credibility.

For a comprehensive overview of his career, see this Craig Charles biography and career.

Frequently asked questions