Andrew Lloyd Webber admits 'I am a recovering alcoholic'

Andrew Lloyd Webber admits 'I am a recovering alcoholic'The musical theatre impresario, 78, said he'd got into a "downhill spiral" more than a year agoComments3amJamie Downham Associate Editor16:11, 18 Apr 2026Updated 16:12, 18 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesAndrew Lloyd Webber has opened up in a new interview(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)Andrew Lloyd Webber has admitted he is a recovering alcoholic. The musical theatre impresario, 78, opened up in a frank interview where he said he attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings daily.‌Speaking to The Times, he said he'd got into a "downhill spiral" more than a year ago, explaining: "I am a recovering alcoholic. Sixteen months ago I decided that I needed help and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”‌He added that for some time he focused on making it to midday to have his first drink, saying: "I started getting into a downhill spiral and about 18 months ago the family were in a desperate state. My wife was feeling she couldn’t go on.”‌Lloyd Webber is among the most successful composers in history, creating 22 musicals, several of which have run for decades, including Cats and The Phantom of the Opera.View 2 ImagesAndrew Lloyd Webber at the Tony Awards in New York last year(Image: Getty Images)READ MORE: Coleen Nolan reveals stunning weight loss transformation and how she's done itREAD MORE: Britain's Got Talent judges left frantic and stunned by criminal actThe composer spoke movingly about his visits to AA and how surprised he was that he enjoyed the visits, which take place in different locations depending on which of his London, Hampshire and New York homes he is at.‌He said he'd sat with a "whole loads of rednecks" while visiting St Louis in Missouri, USA, and cites it as his most enjoyable meeting.Three years ago his eldest son Nicholas died of cancer aged 43. Lloyd Webber said: “He was alcoholic. He was in a dreadful mess and came out of it....