Dominic West reveals wife Catherine Fitzgerald's reaction to Lily James fling scandal
Dominic West has shared how his kiss scandal with Lily James was "deeply stressful" for wife Catherine Fitzgerald.
The actor, 54, revealed his wife's reaction for the first time after he was caught in cosy photographs with co-star Lily, 35.
The two actors were also spotted riding around Rome on a scooter together. It made headlines across the globe as the actress was slammed for 'home-wrecking' Dominic and Catherine's marriage. The couple share three children and tied the knot in 2010.
Dominic has now revealed Catherine's reaction to those photographs. He told The Sunday Times' Culture Magazine : "I hesitate to speak on my wife's behalf because it was obviously horrible, particularly for her. But we do joke about it sometimes... It was an absurd situation. It was deeply stressful for my wife and my kids, but there were lighter moments."
The actor admitted the media storm helped him understand how to play Prince Charles in the final two series of Netflix's The Crown. Following the photos of Dominic and Lily being released, The Affair star and his wife put on a united front in a bid to rid themselves of press attention.
Addressing the controversy outside their London home, the couple shared a kiss and placed a handwritten cardboard sign outside their property. The sign read: “Our marriage is strong and we’re very much still together. Thank you. Catherine and Dominic.” Following the controversy, it was reported that Dominic 'cut all contact' with Lily
Lily appeared to address the scandal in 2022 as she promoted her series Pam and Tommy. The actress compared herself to Pamela Anderson and her 'brush with the gossip rags'. Lily had carefully kept her five-year relationship with Doctor Who’s Matt Smith under wraps until their split in 2020. However, the paparazzi photograph published soon after of her appearing to kiss Dominic brought a whole new kind of scrutiny.
Lifting the lid on the drama, Lily explained to Rolling Stone: "Women in the public eye at some point experience some sort of difficult situation in their relationship between privacy and your life being in the tabloids. It was a lot. It’s a story as old as time.”
She was previously asked about finding herself at the centre of a media storm after the pictures emerged. Lily told The Guardian : "Ach, I’m not really willing to talk about that. There is a lot to say, but not now, I’m afraid." Dominic reportedly vowed to "never to see, speak or work with Lily again."
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