celeb interview
Comedian Katherine Ryan offers her trademark candour on motherhood and romance.
Katherine Ryan has us in fits of giggles from the moment she answers the phone for our exclusive chat. The comedian, 40, is a delight, especially when we get her on the topic of motherhood and her marriage – things she’s extremely passionate about!
The Canadian born stand-up, who has risen to fame thanks to her no holds barred routines and laugh-out-loud appearances on endless panel shows, is mum to Violet, 14, from a previous relationship, and Fred, two, and 15-month-old Fenna with her husband Bobby Koostra.
Katherine and Bobby have one of the most romantic showbiz relationships, having been high-school sweethearts and then finding each other again after 20 years apart. And the key to keeping that spark very much alive? “If a year goes by and you haven’t had sex with your husband, guess what, he’s your f latmate,” she tells us, laughing. As well as the candid coital chat, Katherine also regales us with playground rumours of a nose job, gives us the lowdown on her newest culinary project and reveals why she rarely claps back at the trolls.
How is life as a mum of three?
It was hectic for a while because I thought, “I have two children under 18 months.” Then I went mad and thought, “Maybe I’ll have three under three.” I’m still on the fence about that one, but I’ve shelved it for a little while, just long enough to do my tour. What will it be like touring not pregnant, not throwing up at the side of the stage, not having an infant backstage, not breastfeeding... We’re in a real sweet spot of life now. I’m just fighting logic with biology at the minute – do I leave things nice like this? Or do I have another baby? I love my kids – they’re such a blessing.
d having aby for now!’
Do you and Bobby manage to have quality time together among all the madness?
Bobby’s impressed that I always talk about our sex life somehow.
He’s like, “Oh great news, I’m in the papers again.” We don’t mind talking about it because I’ve learned it’s a really important conversation for so many British couples who are too British to discuss it themselves. I think you have a choice whether to be honest about your relationship now, or keep pushing it to one side until it’s too late. Everyone has different reasons for why they have lots of or very little intimacy in the relationship. But I think it’s really important to prioritise it because what you don’t want is to bury it.
What does your ideal date look like? To go across the street to the pub and have spicy margaritas and a bit of food, then come home early. [We’ll] have the b
