LILY Allen’s life has been filled with moments of chaos, but she has enjoyed one constant in the bond she shares with her former stepfather, Harry Enfield.
Harry’s relationship with Lily’s mother, Alison Owen, began after Lily’s biological father left the family when she was just four years old.
According to Lily’s memoir, My Thoughts Exactly, Harry brought stability to a family that was reeling from upheaval.
He recently appeared on the BBC podcast Lily hosts alongside her close friend Miquita Oliver, sharing a funny anecdote from a Christmas they spent together with her listeners.
“Hello ladies,” he began. “Lily, do you remember that childhood Christmas when I placed the roasted turkey on the table, and you asked why on its beautifully brown skin, it had a tattoo?
“And I replied, ‘Be quiet child, or you’ll end up like him’?”
He then joked: “That’s right, I’m an ethical cannibal.”
In her memoir, Lily described Harry as being “successful and well off”, but most importantly, “kind”.
She also credited the comedian for creating a sense of normalcy for her at home during his five year relationship with Alison.
Although Alison and Harry split in 1996 and she moved out of his home with her children in tow, he always remained a figure of support for Lily.
In an interview with The Guardian in 2010, Harry reflected on the pressures she faced after rocketing to fame as a singer in 2006.
The frustrated parental figure told a reporter: “You have to do loads of interviews. It’s like what happened to Lily when she got famous.
“Suddenly Lily’s bloody everywhere and she’s doing every bloody interview, because you’re told to.
“You’re young and you do it. It’s only later you get a bit savvy.”
He seemed to feel for Lily with the pressures she experienced as a pop singer, adding that he is grateful his own children were shielded from the spotlight.
Harry and Lily were seen going for a stroll together during lockdown in 2021, which also showed how close they still were, almost three decades after his split from Lily’s mum Alison.
There are also rumours that Harry’s famous ‘Kevin the Teenager’ character was inspired by Lily and her brother, Alfie.
Perhaps Harry’s presence will provide some further stability in Lily’s life as she is currently said to be going through a “split” with her husband, David Harbour.
It was reported that Lily had been spotted on celebrity dating app Raya this week, after months of her living apart from David.
An insider told the Sun: “Lily and David have barely been together for the past three months and have been living separate lives.
“When she was in London for the Pillowman, David was spotted at one performance in July before Lily was left by herself.
“In her downtime, Lily would be with mates in London or her kids. When she went back to the US with them, there was no sign of David.”
