Victoria Coren Mitchell made a promise to herself when she knew her father’s cancer was terminal
Victoria Coren was heartbroken over her dad’s passing (Image: Getty)
Only Connect host Victoria Coren Mitchell, 52, was left heartbroken when her dad, Alan, died following a battle with lung cancer at his home in London. Victoria, who is married to actor David Mitchell, has always spoken candidly about losing Alan, telling The Daily Mail a year after his passing: “For as long as I can remember, I was terrified of my father dying. Whenever I left the house, I would rush back to give him another hug and kiss goodbye, in case it was the last time. I told him I loved him whenever we spoke.
“I lay awake at night, dreading the day when joy and laughter would leave my life forever.” He was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2007 and died just months later on October 18, leaving behind Victoria, her mother, and the rest of her family.
Victoria and David at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025 (Image: Getty)
Reflecting on his death, Victoria made a heartbreaking career admission during an interview with The Jewish Chronicle, where she opened up about his illness.
She said: “My dad got ill. He was diagnosed with cancer, and we knew it was terminal. I felt I needed a big project to get lost in.
“And I wanted to write a book that tells the true story of poker — the dark side, the lonely nights. It’s a personal memoir.”
His terminal cancer diagnosis motivated Victoria to write the book, For Richer, For Poorer, which mixes her professional poker journey with the grief she experienced.
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When it came to Alan’s funeral, Victoria wrote in The Guardian his service was “both expected and a shock” and included a blend to religious traditions and a “drinks reception in a Danish church”.
Victoria organised a thanksgiving-style memorial several months after the funeral, complete with a jazz band and choral pieces.
Her father passed away the same year Victoria met her husband, and the father of her children, David.
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