Jimmy Carr declared his father Jim ‘dead’ to him, following a 21-year separation that saw the pair split up, which included a harassment case, and a ban from his gigs.
The comedian, now 49, confirmed that he is a first-time father after welcoming a son Rockefeller to his life with Karoline Coppping in 2019. He has also shed light on his parenting relationships since the birth of his child.
Speaking on Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe’s Parenting Hell podcast, Jimmy told how he wants to have a healthy relationship with his son as he didn’t have such a bond with his own dad, who he previously accused of harassment.
In his candid insight into their lack of relationship, Jimmy said: ‘It’s not a secret, I haven’t seen my dad in 21 years and you know the line, ‘My mother’s dead and my father’s dead to me’ – which sounds very cold, until you meet the guy.’
Candid: Jimmy Carr has said his estranged father Jim is ‘dead to me’ after not speaking to him for 21 years (pictured in April 2021)
Jimmy shared his thoughts on his dad, Patrick James Carr. I know that sometimes things can go wrong and that can be devastating. There’s no bitterness, and there’s also no anger.
“I want the best, but I can’t have that man in my life.”
Jimmy admitted that he often wonders what kind of relationship he would have with his own son, given his own past.
He said, ‘There’s some sadness there and it worries you, ‘Could my kid get hurt?’ It’s difficult to prevent it. It’s about being a father, being there for your child, but not being in control.
Strained: Jimmy hasn’t spoken to his father Patrick James Carr ‘Jim’ Carr for 21 years
Jimmy’s mother Nora passed away in September 2001. He also hinted that his relationship with his father had turned sour during this time.
He said he had ‘lost’ his mother and dad at the same time, but added that he has enough father figures and mothers in. [his]”Life”
Jim and Nora separated in 1994, which caused the first cracks to form in family relations, especially between Jimmy’s brothers (and their father)
Jim, back in 2012, spoke out about their fractious marriage. He insisted Jimmy had disowned him’.
In The Daily Mail, he wrote: “I supported him financially, also, well into his 30s. This enabled him to live rent free in the family home, and pay for all his expenses, including his petrol and bills.
“Despite all of this, and the loving bond that we once shared. Jimmy cut me out from his life eighteen years ago. It was sudden and brutal. I have not received an explanation.
‘I am not ashamed to say that on occasion the depth of my estrangement from Jimmy — and from my two other sons Colin and Patrick, who have also cast me out of their lives — has brought me to tears…
“The loss is the backdrop of my daily life and a pain that I cannot eliminate. Jimmy is so hostile towards me that I was banned from watching him perform.
He said: ‘It’s not a secret, I haven’t seen my dad in 21 years and you know the line, ‘My mother’s dead and my father’s dead to me’ – which sounds very cold, until you meet the guy’
The family even entered into a legal battle, which Jim spoke of in the interview, saying: ‘Together with his older brother Colin — with whom my relationship had never really recovered since my marriage had broken down — he chose to accuse me of harassing the family, launching a legal case against me.
“In sworn statements, Jimmy & Colin claimed that I harassed them by sending abusive emails and letters. Jimmy claimed that I was trying to harm his career.
Jim said that he tried to see his son but was forced to attend his concerts, and then to a meet-and-greet where Jimmy gave him a quick greeting in 2015. Management turned him away at the next concert.
Jimmy later spoke out about the 2016 ambush reunion, saying that there was a signing following the show and people taking photos or selfies. He was at the end, but just kinda looked at me. It was strange, he was just chilling…
“I don’t think that he knew what he was going to say. It was a long time since he spoke. He appeared and was there, then he disappeared.
He continued: “I had a relationship growing up with him, it wasn’t terrible.
“It’s a strange one, the disconnect, but you try to see them as separate individuals. You can kind of say, “He was fine then, he’s not now. That’s OK.” [My mum]They both died and then, it all just turned, they were already separated.
”My Dad’s gone, haven’t seen him in fifteen years perhaps. My Dad just kinda went. It was quite ugly when he just kind of went. There’s nothing really to say, it got weird and it got to be where that wasn’t a good person to have in my life.’
The comedian has been in a relationship with Channel 5 commissioning editor Karoline since 2001 after meeting her at an audition.
The couple had never discussed the possibility of having children together.
He joked to Radio 4’s Desert Island discs in March 2017 that his girlfriend’s first impression was ‘one-note comedy with the eyes of an sex offender’.
Star said that Karoline was not immediately attracted to him but that he was instantly smitten and said: “I knew.” It felt perfect.’
Family: The comedian, 49, confirmed he is a first-time dad after he and his partner Karoline Copping welcomed their son Rockefeller in 2019 (pictured together in 2020)