Sue Perkins: Biography, Relationships, Health & Career

There’s a warmth to Sue Perkins that makes her feel like a friend you’ve known for years, even if you’ve only ever watched her on television. Behind the easy laugh and the Bake Off banter lies a story marked by public scrutiny, private health battles, and a relationship that played out in the headlines.

Born: 22 September 1969, London · Occupation: Broadcaster, comedian, actress, singer, writer · Notable work: The Great British Bake Off (2010–present) · Partner: Anna Richardson (2009–2021) · Children: None

Seven key facts summarise the public record on Sue Perkins:

The implication: the public record is consistent, but gaps remain around her personal life post-2021 and the medical specifics of her tumour.

How was Sue Perkins outed?

Sue Perkins was outed in 2002 by her former partner, comedian Rhona Cameron, who reportedly discussed their relationship in the press. French Wikipedia (encyclopaedic source) records that Cameron “outed” her, though Perkins herself has spoken about the moment she realised she was gay with characteristic frankness. In a Desert Island Discs interview (BBC Radio 4, reported by Express), she said the realisation made her feel sick and she “wanted to throw up”.

Who outed Sue Perkins?

• Rhona Cameron, Perkins’ former partner, is the person who outed her, according to French Wikipedia.
• Perkins did not publicly confirm the outing but has spoken about the emotional impact of coming to terms with her sexuality.

The pattern: the outing was involuntary and came from a former partner, a common but painful experience for many public figures in the early 2000s.

Does Sue Perkins have a disability?

There is no evidence that Sue Perkins has a disability. She has been open about her health, but has not claimed a disability status. In 2015, she disclosed a benign brain tumour (prolactinoma) in an interview with Good Housekeeping UK. The tumour is non-cancerous and affects her hormone levels, requiring ongoing monitoring. She also discussed heavy drinking and a stomach ulcer in her twenties (Express).

Has Sue Perkins been ill?

• Yes: diagnosed with a prolactinoma (benign pituitary tumour) discovered during filming of The Supersizers about eight years before 2015 (Good Housekeeping UK).
• She also mentioned ADHD affecting her family (Entertainment Daily), though she has not confirmed a personal diagnosis.

Sue Perkins brain tumor

The tumour is a prolactinoma, a benign growth on the pituitary gland. HELLO! magazine (celebrity and lifestyle publication) reports that the diagnosis meant she would not be able to have children. The condition requires regular blood tests but is not classified as a disability.

Is Sue Perkins still with Anna Richardson?

No. Sue Perkins and television presenter Anna Richardson split in the summer of 2021 after twelve years together. Entertainment Daily (entertainment news outlet) reported that the split was “heartbreaking” and that Perkins’ health issues and ADHD diagnosis were contributing factors. Richardson confirmed the separation in a later interview.

Why did Anna Richardson and Sue Perkins split?

• Reported reasons include the strain of Perkins’ health problems and the couple’s different life priorities (Entertainment Daily).
• Neither party has given a detailed public explanation, so the full reasons remain private.

Who is Anna Richardson’s partner now?

Anna Richardson has been in a new relationship since 2022, but she has not publicly named her partner. Perkins is not currently known to be in a relationship.

The catch: the split was amicable but not fully explained, leaving the public to infer from the few details shared.

Has Sue Perkins got children?

No. Sue Perkins has no children. The prolactinoma diagnosis meant she would not be able to have children, as HELLO! magazine reported. She has not married, though she was in a long-term partnership with Anna Richardson.

Sue Perkins children

• She has stated that the tumour made biological children impossible, and she has expressed peace with that fact.

Sue Perkins married

• She has never been married.

Why this matters: the childlessness is not a choice but a medical consequence, and Perkins has been open about it.

What is Sue Perkins doing now?

Perkins remains active in broadcasting and comedy. In 2025, she launched the Audible podcast “Mel and Sue: Should Know by Now” with Mel Giedroyc (Wikipedia) and hosted BBC Two’s “Chess Masters: The Endgame” (Mabumbe). She has announced her first stand-up tour in nearly two decades, “The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins” (Mabumbe), scheduled for 2026.

Sue Perkins partner

As of early 2025, Perkins appears to be single. She has not publicly introduced a new partner since the split with Anna Richardson.

Sue Perkins brain tumor

She continues to manage her prolactinoma with regular check-ups. The condition is stable, and she has not reported any recurrence.

Sue Perkins tour

• First headlining tour since 2007, titled “The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins”. Dates are expected in 2026.

Timeline

The chronology of Perkins’ public and private milestones.

The pattern: the timeline shows a public figure who has navigated professional highs and personal challenges with transparency, but also with significant privacy around the most painful moments.

Clarity check

The trade-off: the public knows a lot, but the gaps are precisely where privacy matters most.

Quotes

“I realised I was gay and I wanted to throw up.”

— Sue Perkins, Desert Island Discs (BBC Radio 4, reported by Express)

“It’s a benign tumour, but it means I can’t have children.”

— Sue Perkins, HELLO! magazine

“We had a wonderful time together, but sometimes life takes you in different directions.”

— Anna Richardson, Entertainment Daily

The voices here are consistent: raw, honest, and unflinching. Perkins does not soften her stories.

For the audience who grew up watching her on Bake Off, the implication is clear: Perkins has chosen to share her struggles on her own terms, and her return to stand-up suggests she is ready to talk about them directly.

Frequently asked questions