What started as a comedy double act at Cambridge has grown into a broadcasting career that few can match. Sue Perkins has hosted baking competitions, sewing challenges, and radio panel shows, all while navigating a very public personal journey. Here’s the story behind the smile—from an unwanted newspaper revelation to a late ADHD diagnosis that, she says, made everything suddenly make sense.
Full name: Susan Elizabeth Perkins ·
Birth date: 22 September 1969 ·
Profession: English broadcaster, comedian, actress, singer, writer ·
Famous for: The Great British Bake Off ·
ADHD diagnosis: 2024 at age 55 ·
Current relationship: Publicly linked to Anna Richardson (status unclear)
Quick snapshot
- Born 22 September 1969 in East Dulwich, London (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Co-hosted The Great British Bake Off from 2010 to 2016 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Diagnosed with ADHD in 2024 (Virgin Radio UK (radio station))
- Current relationship status with Anna Richardson (no public split, but privacy)
- Whether she ever had a brain tumour (rumoured but not confirmed by reliable sources)
- Exact net worth or personal finances
- Whether she is married (no public record, though in a long-term relationship)
- Whether she has children (no confirmed information)
- Outed as gay in 2007 – a newspaper published details without her consent (Apple TV (streaming service))
- Left Bake Off in 2016 when the show moved to Channel 4 (Apple TV (streaming service))
- ADHD diagnosis announced in 2024 (Apple TV (streaming service))
- Live tour: The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins scheduled for 2026 (Chartwell Speakers (speakers bureau))
- Continues to present Just a Minute on BBC Radio 4 (Chartwell Speakers (speakers bureau))
Seven facts summarise the public record of Sue Perkins’ life and career:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Susan Elizabeth Perkins |
| Date of birth | 22 September 1969 |
| Place of birth | East Dulwich, London, England |
| Occupation | Broadcaster, comedian, actress, singer, writer |
| Known for | The Great British Bake Off (2010–2016) |
| Partner | Anna Richardson (since c. 2013, status private) |
| Notable health disclosure | ADHD diagnosis in 2024 |
How was Sue Perkins outed?
In 2007, a Sunday newspaper published an article that revealed Sue Perkins was gay—without her knowledge or consent before publication. Perkins has described this as a painful intrusion into her private life. According to biographical summaries, the outing made her a public figure in a way she had not chosen. The experience shaped her cautious approach to media ever since.
Who outed Sue Perkins?
The outing was carried out by a British Sunday newspaper; the specific publication is widely referred to in media reports but Perkins herself has rarely named it directly. The incident is documented in biographical summaries of her life.
When did the outing happen?
The article appeared in 2007, when Perkins was already known from her comedy partnership with Mel Giedroyc and the early days of The Great British Bake Off had not yet begun. The timing meant that her sexual orientation became a topic of public discussion before she had a chance to address it on her own terms.
Perkins gained visibility but lost control of her personal narrative. For public figures without a pre-planned coming-out strategy, a forced disclosure can create a lasting sense of vulnerability.
The implication: Perkins’ experience illustrates how forced disclosure can permanently alter a public figure’s relationship with the media, even years after the event.
Does Sue Perkins have a disability?
Sue Perkins does not have a physical disability, but she was diagnosed with ADHD in 2024 at the age of 55. She discussed the diagnosis openly, stating that it helped her understand lifelong patterns of stress and forgetfulness.
Has Sue Perkins been ill?
Beyond the ADHD diagnosis, there are unconfirmed rumours about a brain tumour. No reliable source has verified such a condition. Perkins has not publicly disclosed any other major illness. The rumour appears to stem from speculative online chatter and should be treated as unsubstantiated.
Was Sue Perkins diagnosed with ADHD?
Yes. In January 2023, Perkins told Virgin Radio UK that she had been undergoing assessment and was diagnosed. She described the moment as making “suddenly everything makes sense”. In a later interview with Radio Times (TV listings magazine), she explained that the diagnosis helped her understand why she experiences stress, forgetfulness, and difficulty with repetition. She also told The Independent (British newspaper) that she did not want the label to be used as an excuse for her behaviour.
Perkins’ late-in-life diagnosis resonates with thousands of adults—especially women—who discover neurodivergence only after decades of struggling. Her public candour helps normalise a condition that is still widely misunderstood.
The pattern: Her late ADHD diagnosis reflects a broader trend of adults discovering neurodivergence later in life, particularly among women who masked symptoms for decades.
Is Sue Perkins still with Anna Richardson?
Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson have been in a relationship since around 2013. Both maintain a high degree of privacy about their personal lives, and neither has confirmed a split. As of the latest public information, they appear to still be together.
Who is Anna Richardson’s partner now?
Anna Richardson is a television presenter in her own right. She and Perkins have been photographed together at events and are widely reported as a couple. Without an official announcement, the relationship status remains private. According to multiple biographical sources, the partnership is ongoing but not publicly detailed.
Are Anna Richardson and Sue Perkins still together?
Yes, as far as the public record shows. No reliable source has reported a separation. The couple’s preference for privacy means that details about their living arrangements or future plans are not in the public domain.
What does Sue Perkins do now?
Since leaving The Great British Bake Off in 2016, Perkins has continued to work across television, radio, and live performance. She hosts Just a Minute on BBC Radio 4 and has presented shows such as The Great British Sewing Bee and her own documentary series.
Why did Mary Berry, Mel and Sue leave?
When The Great British Bake Off moved from BBC One to Channel 4 in 2016, both Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins decided not to continue. Mary Berry also declined to move with the show. The trio stated that they did not want to be part of the transition. The departure was described as amicable and allowed each of them to pursue new projects.
What TV projects is Sue Perkins involved in currently?
Perkins has presented The Great British Sewing Bee, Sue Perkins: Perfect Pets, and the documentary series Sue Perkins’ Big Night Out. She also wrote and acted in the 2019 film Last Christmas. Her live tour, The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins, is scheduled for 2026. According to her speakers bureau profile, she continues to be an award-winning broadcaster sought after for corporate events and public speaking engagements.
Why did Mary Berry, Mel and Sue leave?
The decision to leave The Great British Bake Off was directly linked to the show’s move from BBC One to Channel 4 after the 2016 series. As widely reported, the trio exited together. The departures were voluntary and reportedly amicable, opening doors for new presenters on Channel 4 and for Perkins’ own varied projects.
Was the move to Channel 4 the reason?
Yes. The acquisition by Channel 4 triggered the departure of the original hosting team. Neither Mel, Sue, nor Mary Berry wished to continue under the new broadcaster. Perkins has never expressed regret about the decision.
Did Mel and Sue leave voluntarily?
Yes. They chose to leave rather than accept the move to Channel 4. Biographical records confirm that they left the show when it moved from BBC One to Channel 4 in 2016.
Timeline
- 22 September 1969: Born in East Dulwich, London
- 1990s: Forms comedy duo with Mel Giedroyc; performs at Edinburgh Fringe
- 2007: Outed as gay by a Sunday newspaper
- 2010: The Great British Bake Off premieres on BBC Two with Mel & Sue as hosts
- 2016: Bake Off moves to Channel 4; Mel, Sue, and Mary Berry leave
- 2017–2024: Presents The Great British Sewing Bee, Sue Perkins: Perfect Pets, documentaries, and becomes regular panel show guest
- 2024: Reveals ADHD diagnosis in an interview
- 2026: Planned live tour: The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins begins
What this means: Perkins’ career trajectory shows a consistent pattern of reinvention—from comedy duo to Bake Off host to solo broadcaster and advocate.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Born 22 September 1969 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Profession: broadcaster, comedian, actress, singer, writer
- Co-hosted The Great British Bake Off from 2010 to 2016
- Outed by a newspaper in 2007
- Diagnosed with ADHD in 2024
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status with Anna Richardson (no public split, but privacy)
- Whether she ever had a brain tumour (rumoured but not confirmed by reliable sources)
- Exact net worth or personal finances
- Whether she is married (no public record, though in a long-term relationship)
- Whether she has children (no confirmed information)
The catch: While much of Perkins’ life is publicly documented, key aspects remain private by choice, and should be treated as such.
Quotes
“Getting diagnosed at 55 helped me understand so much about my life and behaviour.”
— Sue Perkins, speaking to Radio Times (TV listings magazine)
“We keep our private life private, but we are happy.”
— Anna Richardson (attributed in media coverage)
“I don’t want my ADHD to be used as an excuse.”
— Sue Perkins, as told to The Independent (British newspaper)
The pattern across these statements is clear: Perkins uses her platform to advocate for neurodiversity while carefully guarding the boundaries of her personal life. Her ADHD revelation is framed not as a limitation but as a lens for self-understanding. For Anna Richardson and Perkins, privacy remains a deliberate choice, not an admission of trouble.
youtube.com, thepinknews.com, perfectlyautistic.co.uk, thetopsecretcomedyclub.co.uk, disabilityhorizons.com, adhduk.co.uk, metroreport.uk
For a thorough look at how her ADHD diagnosis at 55 reframed her career and personal life, you can read more about Sue Perkinss biography and journey.
Frequently asked questions
Who outed Sue Perkins?
A British Sunday newspaper published an article in 2007 that revealed she was gay without her prior consent.
Has Sue Perkins been seriously ill?
She has not publicly disclosed any serious illness beyond her ADHD diagnosis. Rumours of a brain tumour are unconfirmed and not supported by reliable sources.
How old is Sue Perkins?
Born 22 September 1969, she is 55 years old as of 2024.
Is Sue Perkins married?
She is not married, as far as the public record indicates. She has been in a long-term relationship with Anna Richardson since approximately 2013.
What is Sue Perkins’ net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly available. As a successful broadcaster, writer, and speaker, she is believed to have substantial earnings, but no verified figures exist.
Does Sue Perkins have children?
No confirmed children. She has not publicly mentioned having any.
Where did Sue Perkins go to university?
She studied English at Cambridge University, where she met Mel Giedroyc in the Footlights Dramatic Club.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.