British mathematician and BBC presenter Hannah Fry was previously married to sports journalist Phil Lythell. The couple married on September 21, 2013, welcomed two daughters and separated in 2022 after approximately nine years together as husband and wife.
Although their marriage ended, Fry has spoken positively about the friendship they maintained afterward. Their unusual living arrangement, which places their homes just three doors apart in South London, has attracted particular interest.
Rather than allowing their separation to disrupt family routines, Fry and Lythell developed a cooperative approach to raising their children.
Here is what is known about Hannah Fry’s ex-husband, their marriage, separation and family life in 2026.
Who Is Phil Lythell?
Phil Lythell is a British sports writer and digital media professional best known publicly as Hannah Fry’s former husband.
He has worked in sports journalism and online publishing, building a career away from the television attention surrounding Fry.
Unlike his former wife, Lythell rarely appears in interviews discussing his personal life.
Information about his age, education and current professional activities is not widely documented.
His name became familiar to a broader audience as Fry’s broadcasting career expanded and she began discussing her experiences with marriage and divorce.
Despite that attention, he has continued to maintain a relatively private lifestyle.
Their 2013 Wedding
Hannah Fry and Phil Lythell married on September 21, 2013.
At the time, Fry was developing her career as a mathematician while becoming increasingly involved in science communication.
Lythell was pursuing his own professional interests in sports journalism.
The couple established a home in South London and eventually welcomed two daughters.
Their marriage continued as Fry’s public profile grew through television programmes, books and speaking engagements.
Although she became a familiar face on British television, the couple generally kept their relationship away from entertainment headlines.
Their family life remained considerably more private than Fry’s professional achievements.
Their Two Children
Hannah Fry and Phil Lythell share two daughters.
Both parents have taken a relatively cautious approach to discussing their children’s personal lives publicly.
Fry occasionally speaks about parenting, but she does not regularly disclose detailed information about her daughters’ everyday activities.
Following the separation, maintaining stability for the children became an important consideration.
Their eventual living arrangement allowed both parents to remain involved in school routines, family occasions and other responsibilities.
The children continue to be a central connection between Fry and Lythell despite the end of their marriage.
Why They Split
Fry and Lythell separated in 2022 after approximately nine years of marriage.
According to Fry’s public comments, their relationship changed gradually.
She has explained that they eventually recognised they were no longer suited to continuing as romantic partners.
Their separation was not publicly associated with accusations of infidelity or a major dispute.
Instead, Fry has described a process in which both people accepted that their relationship had reached a different stage.
The decision allowed them to establish separate personal lives while preserving their connection as parents.
Her Cancer Experience
A significant event during their marriage was Hannah Fry’s cervical cancer diagnosis in 2021.
She underwent major treatment, including a radical hysterectomy, and later spoke publicly about the experience.
Her diagnosis affected several areas of her life and prompted reflection on her relationships and future.
Fry has acknowledged that the emotional impact of her illness contributed to changes within her marriage.
However, she has not presented cancer as the only reason for their separation.
Her willingness to discuss the experience also helped bring wider attention to women’s health and the emotional consequences of serious medical treatment.
A Friendly Divorce
One of Fry’s most memorable descriptions of her separation was calling it a “grade A, gold-star divorce.”
The phrase reflects her view that she and Lythell managed the end of their marriage with unusual cooperation.
Rather than discussing an ongoing personal conflict, Fry has emphasised their continued friendship.
She has explained that their relationship changed without eliminating the respect they had developed over many years.
This perspective attracted attention because divorce is often portrayed publicly as a bitter disagreement.
Fry’s experience offers a different example, although every family’s circumstances and needs are unique.
Just Three Doors Apart
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of their post-separation arrangement is the location of their homes.
Phil Lythell reportedly lives just three doors away from Hannah Fry in South London.
The short distance allows their daughters to move between households without lengthy journeys.
It also makes everyday parenting responsibilities easier to coordinate.
School arrangements, family activities and unexpected changes can be managed without the additional difficulties created by living far apart.
Their decision reflects a practical attempt to preserve consistency for their children.
Although this arrangement would not work for every divorced couple, Fry has described it as successful for their family.
Sunday Lunches
Despite living separately, the former couple has maintained certain shared family traditions.
Fry has spoken about continuing regular Sunday lunches with Lythell and their daughters.
These gatherings allow the family to spend time together without returning to their previous marital relationship.
The tradition also helps their children experience familiar family occasions with both parents present.
For Fry and Lythell, separation did not require abandoning every activity they previously enjoyed together.
Their approach has become a frequently discussed aspect of Fry’s personal life because it demonstrates how family routines can continue after divorce.
Hannah’s New Partner
Following her separation, Fry began another romantic relationship.
She has spoken publicly about a partner named Oli, whom she met through the dating application Hinge.
Her comments about dating after marriage attracted interest among viewers who had followed her discussions about divorce.
Fry has continued balancing her personal life with her work in mathematics, television and publishing.
Her new relationship has not prevented her from maintaining a cooperative parenting arrangement with Lythell.
However, she has generally avoided revealing extensive details about Oli’s personal background.
Phil Lythell Today
As of October 2026, Phil Lythell continues to maintain a low public profile.
He remains known for his background in sports journalism and digital media.
Unlike Fry, he does not regularly appear in television interviews discussing his personal circumstances.
There is also limited verified public information about whether he has entered another romantic relationship.
His continued connection with Fry is primarily discussed in relation to their daughters and shared parenting responsibilities.
Much of his everyday life remains outside public attention.
Hannah Fry’s Career
Hannah Fry is a British mathematician, author and science communicator known for explaining complicated ideas through accessible television programmes and books.
She has presented documentaries exploring mathematics, technology, human behaviour and scientific developments.
Her books include The Mathematics of Love and Hello World: How to Be Human in the Age of the Machine.
Fry’s ability to connect mathematical ideas with everyday experiences has helped her reach audiences beyond academic circles.
Alongside her broadcasting work, she has continued participating in public discussions about science, technology and society.
Their Life in 2026
Hannah Fry’s ex-husband is Phil Lythell, the sports journalist she married in September 2013 before their separation in 2022.
The former couple has two daughters and has maintained a friendly co-parenting relationship.
Their homes reportedly remain only a few doors apart, while shared traditions such as Sunday lunches have helped preserve family connections.
Fry has moved forward with a new partner, Oli, while Lythell continues keeping his personal life largely private.
Their story has attracted attention not because of a dramatic breakup, but because they have managed to remain friends and involved parents after ending their marriage.
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