Philomena Cunk star's wild real life, megastar pal and bold refusal to have kids

04 December 2023 , 19:55

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The comedian has previously spoken candidly about her decision to remain childfree (Image: BBC/Broke & Bones)

Diane Morgan is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Philomena Cunk, and her signature deadpan sense of humour, but there's plenty fans may not know about the actress and comedian. The 48-year-old worked as a telemarketer, dental nurse, and potato peeler after leaving drama school, having struggled to establish herself as an actor.

After an encouraging remark from her telesales boss about her dry one-liners, Diane began exploring the world of comedy, and eventually found enormous success in hit shows such as Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe, Cunk on Earth, and Motherland. Away from the cameras, Diane leads a very interesting life, and few may realise that she has a superstar best friend.

Diane has led a very interesting life (WireImage)

She met a lifelong pal while studying at drama school (BAFTA via Getty Images)

Famous pal

Bolton-born Diane is best friends with fellow actress Maxine Peake, whom she bonded with as a drama student. During a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Diane shared: "We've known each other 25 years now, scarily. We first bonded at drama school when she introduced me to Withnail & I,, which was the best thing I'd ever seen."

As young aspiring actors, the two pals believed their northern accents were stopping them from getting work, so decided to get elocution lessons. In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Diane recalled: "Maxine got into Rada, then got cast in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies, and got a South Bank Show made about her. I couldn't get arrested." Admitting that she did feel a bit jealous at the time, she clarified: "Yeah, but I couldn't take her entirely seriously. I was laughing when she played Myra Hindley."

Now both established stars, Diane and Maxine have since worked together on 2019 BBC Radio 4 comedy-drama, The Bottle Factory Outing.

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Diana and Maxine went on to work with each other on a comedy radio show (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Diane is happy with her childfree life (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BAFTA)

Childfree life

Although one of her most famous roles includes blunt single mum Liz in parenting sitcom Motherland, Diane has previously opened up about her decision to remain childfree. During a candid interview with the Mirror back in 2021, Diane revealed: "Me and Anna [Maxwell Martin] are always trying to work out ways we can avoid scenes with children." She added: "I've never wanted children for a split second. The pain, the expense, the hassle… I can't see any advantages. 'Then I work on Motherland and feel vindicated. People say, 'Yeah but who'll look after you in your old age?' What? Are you only having kids to be your carers?"

Julia Banim