For many, Graham Linehan’s name once meant brilliant sitcoms and quick wit — the man behind Father Ted, The IT Crowd, and Black Books.
But today, the Irish-born writer is no longer celebrated in Britain.
Instead, he’s made a dramatic move across the Atlantic, claiming that his life in the UK had become impossible.
Why He Left Britain Behind
Linehan says the atmosphere in Britain drove him away, especially debates around transgender rights and free speech.
The 57-year-old described the UK as “toxic” and insisted he no longer felt able to express himself freely.
The turning point came earlier this month when he returned to London for a trial, accused of harassment over comments aimed at a transgender woman.
He was arrested on arrival at Heathrow by armed officers — an ordeal he says left him feeling like “a terrorist.”
For him, that was the final confirmation that his future lies elsewhere.
Starting Over in Arizona
Linehan has now resettled in Scottsdale, Arizona, a city he describes as a haven of free expression.
He’s renting a luxury two-bedroom apartment, complete with pools, a rooftop spa, landscaped gardens, and even a private cinema.
The sunny lifestyle is a stark contrast to the modest flat in London’s docklands where he lived after his marriage ended in 2020.
He’s also been granted a three-year visa, with hopes of turning it into permanent residency.
“My aim is to make myself so useful to the Americans that they won’t let me go,” he told podcaster Joe Rogan.
A New Chapter in Comedy
Despite his setbacks in the UK, Linehan is back to writing.
Together with comedian Rob Schneider and writer Andrew Doyle, he’s launched a production company called Friendly Fire.
Their first project, a comedy series titled Tenure, is already in motion.
Ironically, Schneider, best known for Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, has himself courted controversy for outspoken views on transgender issues — making him a natural ally for Linehan.
Life After Cancellation
Linehan admits the fallout from his views has been devastating.
He lost friendships, professional connections, and his marriage of 16 years.
A planned Father Ted musical — which he once called his “masterpiece” — collapsed when colleagues refused to work with him.
In his memoir Tough Crowd, he wrote movingly of the betrayals: “Each one sits in my memory like crows on a telephone wire.”
A Voice for Free Speech
Supporters have rallied behind Linehan, even calling for a “Linehan’s Law” to stop police from arresting people for lawful speech.
Writer Andrew Doyle argued that Linehan’s case shows “free speech is on life-support in Britain.”
The issue has gained international attention too.
A recent US State Department report criticised the UK for backsliding on free speech protections, pointing to censorship of political opinions, particularly following the tragic Southport attacks in 2024.
Finding Belonging in America
In Arizona, Linehan says he feels freer than he has in years.
He spends his time writing, trying out local restaurants, and enjoying the sunshine — though a recent tumble on an electric scooter left him with a black eye and a broken nose.
Still, he insists the move has given him a sense of possibility: “It’s like being able to breathe after years of suffocation.”
Looking Ahead
Linehan says he has no plans to return to the UK.
He feels betrayed by the entertainment industry and disillusioned with Britain’s politics, particularly on cultural issues.
Instead, he wants to focus on rebuilding his career in America, where he believes comedy and free speech still have a future.
“Big things are afoot,” he told friends. “A new life is ahead.”