Hugh: 'I Have Five Small Children And Life Is Chaos'

Former confirmed bachelor Hugh Grant opens up about his new life as a father – and moving away from romantic comedies

- Lucy Allen

For years, he was dubbed the “eternal bachelor” – but actor Hugh Grant enjoyed a rapid introduction to the world of fatherhood when, in the space of just 15 months, he went from single man to a dad of three. Fast-forward six years and he is now a father of five.

Hugh had his first daughter, Tabitha, at the age of 50, with secretary Tinglan Hong in 2011. He welcomed his second child, son John Mungo, with his now-wife Anna Eberstein, 39, in September 2012. He then raised eyebrows when, just three months later, Tinglan gave birth to his son Felix Chang. Hugh and Swedish TV producer Anna – who would have been pregnant at the same time as Tinglan – then had a daughter in 2015. And in March this year, Hugh’s former girlfriend and long-term pal Liz Hurley revealed he had welcomed his third child with Anna.

DOTING DAD

Offering a rare insight into life as a doting dad, Hugh reveals, “I have five small children and life is total chaos. I’ve always said yes to writing or directing a project, but part of my problem now is that I just lack time. Being away for a week for work seems like bliss – mostly because I don’t have someone throwing yoghurt at me.

“Sometimes I see the actress Penelope Cruz at a playgroup in London. We have a chat while our children kill each other. She’s very lovely!”