Paul Whitehouse tells wife 'let me finish' in awkward BBC Breakfast interview

An interview with Paul Whitehouse and Dr Mine Conkbayir on BBC Breakfast took an awkward turn on Friday (17 October), as the comedian told his wife it was his "turn to speak". Paul, 67, appeared on the BBC programme alongside Mine, 45, as they discussed their podcast, I'm ADHD No You're Not, which sees them interview many famous faces about their experiences with ADHD. Mine, who is a lecturer, author and academic, opened up about being diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 43 and how her husband's reaction to the news influenced the title of their podcast.

"We were like let's get this out there, let's have some discussions. Push the debate on what is ADHD? How is the education system failing neurodivergent children?" Mine said of the aim for the podcast. Paul then interjected: "Can I just jump in by the way? I wasn't that dismissive when you were diagnosed!" to which Mine hit back: "It's not about you, though."

"Well, it's my turn to speak. If I can just get a word in!" the comedian said.

He went on to explain: "No, I didn't just dismiss it and go, 'No you're not'. The reason we came up with that title is because I was a bit sceptical at first and then a load of people I know, comedians, identified as ADHD, or [had been] diagnosed.

"We went to see a comedy show one night and two of my mates were doing an open mic spot. And, every comedian that came on said, 'Good evening. I'm ADHD'. And I thought, wow, there really is some connection here, or there's a profound misunderstanding of what's going on in their comedic brain."

Paul went on to say that seeing the connection between his fellow comedians and ADHD was what "peaked" his interest, prompting him to explore it further on the podcast.

Elsewhere, Mine revealed how she's been trying to raise awareness of the faults in the education system and how it doesn't serve children with ADHD well.

"I'm inundated with phonecalls, emails from parents, saying, 'Please, help me. My child, again, is in isolation, because they're not listening properly, they're not doing what the teacher tells them to do. They can't sit still.'

"So, I'm writing letters, I'm communicating with schools on parents' behalf, just to get more understanding and allow children to learn in ways that are comfortable to them," she told hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt.

Paul and Mine spoke about how her ADHD has impacted their relationship, with them both agreeing Paul was "tolerant" prior to her official diagnosis.

She branded her husband a "saint", and he said he is "conscious" of the issues and experiences Mine has dealt with throughout her life.

Host Naga jokingly told the duo: "I do worry about you two rowing a lot...," with Mine quipping: "Yeah, any marriage councillors do get in touch. Who happen to be tuning in!"

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One. Listen to Paul and Mine's podcast, I'm ADHD No You're Not, here.