Jack Whitehall has called his father Michael a “nepo-dad” ahead of their collaboration for Father’s Day on Classic FM.
The comedian and actor, 34, said his father, 83, has “cut him loose” since they starred together on Netflix series Travels With My Father, with the elder Whitehall appearing alongside his wife instead.
“It’s so annoying,” he told The Times. “I’ve got a nepo-dad.”
“He very much took his opportunity and is thriving now. He’s cut me loose.
“He’s off doing his podcast and appearing on shows with my mum, and they’re talking about going on tour themselves. Insane.”
But the pair’s received pronunciation is set to be heard as part of The Whitehalls On Father’s Day on Sunday, June 18, from 9pm on Classic FM.
Publicity for the broadcast states that Jack will discuss the prospect of fatherhood, having recently announced the pregnancy of his girlfriend, Roxy Horner.
But what about Michael — and is he really a nepo-dad?
Who is Michael Whitehall?
Perhaps not quite the nepo-dad his son makes him out to be, Michael founded two production agencies —Havahall Pictures and Whitehall Films — in the 1980s and 90s.
Working as a theatrical agent, he always had roles behind the scenes, producing television shows but never starring.
It was only when Jack’s comedy and acting career took off in the early 2010s that Michael became a household name in his own right. Often playing the posh and controlling straight-man father figure to Jack’s campy beta male act, the odd couple got their own show, Backchat, which ran for two series.
Michael appeared on Countdown, John Bishop’s Britain, The Million Pound Drop Live, Alexander Armstrong’s Big Ask, and Alan Carr: Chatty Man. And then father and son starred together in Travels Wth My Father — exploring a new country each series. They have also written books together.
The 82-year-old has two other children and has been married to Jack’s mother, Hilary Isbister, since 1986, having previously been married to Jane McIntosh from 1969 to 1973.
