Idris Elba: Luther actor details 'traumatic' effect coronavirus had on him 'It hit me bad'

Idris Elba has revealed how COVID-19 took its toll on him psychologically. The Luther actor and his wife, Sabrina Dhowre, were among the first famous faces to say they had caught coronavirus.

The 47-year-old has now told this week’s Radio Times that he is now “fully recovered” and feeling “lucky to be alive and thankful for being able to kick” the virus.

But the BBC star said the experience has affected him mentally.

“I was asymptomatic so I didn’t get the major symptoms everyone else got,” he commented.

However, Idris continued: “Mentally, it hit me very bad, because a lot was unknown about it.

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“I’m very much a believer in freedom of speech,” he stated.

There should be a ratings system warning viewers that a film or show has outdated, insulting viewpoints, he said.

While not referring to a specific programme, Idris said: “To mock the truth, you have to know the truth. But to censor racist themes within a show, to pull it… I think viewers should know that people made shows like this.

“Commissioners and archive-holders pulling things they think are exceptionally tone-deaf at this time – fair enough and good for you.”

Idris added: “But I think, moving forward, people should know that freedom of speech is accepted, but the audience should know what they’re getting into.

“I don’t believe in censorship. I believe that we should be allowed to say what we want to say. Because, after all, we’re story-makers.”

The In The Long Run actor said boosting diversity needs a change in attitude.

Read the full interview in this week’s Radio Times – out now.

source: express.co.uk