Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed that his late son Nicholas was an alcoholic, after the composer spoke about his own drinking struggles for the first time.
The West End mogul, 78, revealed on Saturday that he was a ‘recovering alcoholic’, and that he realised he needed help after he began to drink in secret.
Andrew shared that he had began a ‘downhill spiral’ a year and a half ago with his family in a ‘desperate state’ due to his drinking, but he got sober after attending an AA meeting in Switzerland, with him now visiting them daily in the UK.
In the same interview, he shared that his eldest son Nicholas had also struggled with alcoholism, before he died of gastric cancer three years ago at the age of 43.
The musician said: ‘He was in a dreadful mess and came out of it. But I couldn’t help noticing how he’d changed. He got stomach cancer and one doesn’t know what caused it, but I can’t believe that all the medication he was on helped.’
Andrew added he wears a leather bracelet inscribed with his son’s name, and another with a link from his four surviving children, saying they ‘stop him from drinking.’
Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed that his late son Nicholas (left) was an alcoholic, after the composer spoke about his own drinking struggles for the first time
He shared the news of Nicholas’ death in a post on X in 2023, writing: ‘I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital. His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft. – ALW’
In the interview with The Times, Andrew also revealed that he believes his father, an organist and teacher at the Royal College of Music, was an alcoholic, but didn’t see it during his childhood as he spent much of his school years living away from home.
He said: ‘Things got more difficult at home for my brother [Julian]. I think my aunt probably was alcoholic too, though I don’t remember her ever being drunk. I do remember my father.
‘He used to get quite depressed. He always wanted to be a composer, and he was, but he felt his music was out of its time.’
Speaking about alcoholism, Andrew shared that he never saw himself as one, but began to notice when he was shared the ‘stupidity’ of hiding his addiction.
Andrew has shared his family’s struggles as he prepares to auction off his prized wine collection, with money raised going to the Music in Secondary Schools Trust, which is part raised by his foundation.
Andrew’s interview comes just days after his brother Julian has announced he will receive treatment for prostate cancer after being diagnosed with the condition.
The cellist, who celebrated his 75th birthday on Tuesday, returned to the concert platform on the same day after an absence of 12 years due to injury.
The West End mogul revealed on Saturday that he was a ‘recovering alcoholic’, and that he realised he needed help after he began to drink in secret
Andrew said that Nicholas (pictured in 2010) died of gastric cancer at the age of 43, and said he believes the medication he was on may have contributed to his illness
Julian performed a birthday charity gala concert at the Wigmore Hall on Tuesday and revealed he has kept his diagnosis a secret so that he ‘didn’t disappoint anyone’.
Julian said in a statement: ‘I did not want to let anyone down, so I kept my diagnosis secret until after my birthday concert, but now I need to begin treatment as soon as possible.
‘I am encouraged by the expectations of the medical team and look forward to making a full recovery. I am not intending to cancel engagements and I won’t comment any further on this matter until after the treatment.’
It followed a long hiatus as a performer, resulting from a herniated disc caused by the repeated bowing action of his right arm.
The injury was so severe he sold his Stradivarius, thinking he would never be able to play it on stage again.
However, he confirmed last year he was learning to play again, and speaking ahead of his return to the stage, he told the Observer: ‘I began just playing scales a few weeks ago.
‘I tried a whole piece, but quickly realised it was not going to work. I had to build up to it. So I did 15 minutes, then half an hour. Then I managed an hour. Now I can’t wait for the concert. I just hope I can do it.’
Julian, who performed at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, won a Brit for his recording of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto.
He was made an OBE in 2021 for services to music.
While Andrew became one of the most famous composers in musical theatre, Julian built a career as a leading classical cellist, focusing on concert performance rather than theatre.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcohol, speak to Alcohol Anonymous on 0800 917 7650 or email [email protected]
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