Despite the UK not winning the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, 50-year-old truly stole the show. As the presenter of the famed song contest, she dazzled millions with her sparkling dresses, effortlessly switched between languages, and kept the crowd entertained with wit and dance moves.
But what's the inside scoop on the 'Ted Lasso' star? Hannah's career took off later in life; in her forties, she bagged the part of Rebecca Welton in , marking a turning point for her. She's acknowledged her late bloom in Hollywood with gratitude because it taught her to value success more deeply.
"I think the good thing is that it has happened at this point in my career," she confessed. "Looking back, that is exactly how I would have planned it because it means you don't get above yourself, and you value everything that comes your way."
However, had it not been for her daughter Kitty, now nine, who suffers from an autoimmune disorder called Henoch-Schonlein Purpura affecting her kidneys, Hannah may never have accepted the role. While not life-threatening, the condition causes considerable discomfort and requires ongoing attention, reports The Mirror.
Hannah, a dedicated mother, wished for work that would enable her to remain close to her family.
Hannah expressed her desires to Ellen DeGeneres: "I just said 'thank you for what you've given me already but can I please ask for something that is close to home so I can do my main role which is to be a mother'," and further requested, "Also can I ask that it's something that really shows what I can do and I hope that's not asking too much."
After two months, Hannah landed a role in a series only 40 minutes from her home. This job not only minimised her commute but also highlighted her acting prowess, eventually earning her an Emmy.
This accolade now has a special spot in her daughter's bedroom as an emblem of her commitment, symbolising that "mummy will only ever be away when it's for a really, blooming good reason."
Showbusiness was imprinted in Hannah's lineage right from the start. Hailing from Wandsworth Common, London, with her mother and maternal grandparents as opera singers, it's clear performing is in her genes - despite never having gone through formal vocal training, Hannah boasts a four-octave range, comparable to icons like Beyonce and Julie Andrews.
She humorously speculated that being born tone-deaf would have been quite unlikely.
"Singing was in the blood," explained Hannah. Her mum returned to the stage at the English National Opera when Hannah was only eight and stayed for 27 years.
Often found absorbing the arts while sitting in the Royal Coliseum, she reminisced: "I'd sit in the stalls... listening and soaking everything up like a sponge. That's the best way of learning."
She fondly mentioned watching Lesley Garrett and Bryn Terfyl perform, performers with whom she's had the privilege to share the stage.
Despite her remarkable singing prowess, Hannah was resolute in pursuing acting, landing minor roles in Benidorm, My Family and Footballers Wives, before later featuring in Sex Ed and Hocus Pocus 2. For a quarter of a century, she remained relatively under the radar - it wasn't until her portrayal of "Shame nun" Septa Unella in Game of Thrones in 2015 and Apple TV Plus' Ted Lasso in 2019 that her star began to ascend.
However, prior to dominating our television screens, Hannah graced the stages of West End and Broadway musicals such as Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz and Kiss Me Kate. "Trust me, I am a theatre girl through and through in my bloodstream, but I want to be able to put my little girl to bed at night," she has expressed.
"I was in theatre for 20 years, both here and on Broadway. That was at a time when I didn't have a little person. Now I'm hugely blessed not only to have a child, but to have been able to choose to move to television and to be accepted into that world where I can be Mummy as much as I can and be away from her as little as possible."
In addition to her Emmy, she has also bagged the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2021 and 2022. Her star continues to rise as she's been cast in the upcoming Mission: Impossible 8 and shared the screen with Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy.
Currently, she's gracing ITV X's period drama Tom Jones as Lady Bellaston, a role she never thought she'd land. "It's eluded me forever," she confessed.
"I think it's because I'm massive, people don't think that people were massive back in the day," she quipped, adding, "With the heel, the feathers and the wig I was probably about seven feet tall - not even joking."
The towering 5ft 11in actress was taken aback when asked to present Eurovision, admitting: "I was shocked when they asked me, because I'm not a presenter by any means and I don't pertain to be. It's so exciting. Coming from theatre, it's a big deal for us. Everyone always has Eurovision parties, so I was so thrilled that they asked me." Hannah also disclosed that presenting Eurovision fulfills a childhood dream.
Announcing the winner "literally gives me shivers of excitement", she shared with BBC's Eurovisioncast. "My 12 year old self couldn't believe I would ever be saying I.T.. " Hannah Waddingham's impressive performance at the Eurovision Song Contest has sparked a wave of admiration, with fans and celebrities alike clamouring for more. Carol Vorderman tweeted her praise, saying: "Can I just vote for Hannah Waddingham to be on everything on the telly at all times please?"
