• Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
What's On

‘I found a genius travel storage hack to protect and organise your sunglasses on holiday’

5 July 2025

Cam Norrie left stunned over ‘dating Emma Raducanu’ question right after Wimbledon win

5 July 2025

UK’s ‘best beach’ with crystal clear water and white sands compared to Majorca and Ibiza

5 July 2025

Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell with Jack Black cameo and Diogo Jota tribute

5 July 2025

BBC doctor says you should send a text message this week

5 July 2025

Major hunt for fare dodgers who beat off-duty policewoman who confronted them

5 July 2025

Horror moment ‘pet’ lion leaps over garden wall to maul mum and two kids

5 July 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • ‘I found a genius travel storage hack to protect and organise your sunglasses on holiday’
  • Cam Norrie left stunned over ‘dating Emma Raducanu’ question right after Wimbledon win
  • UK’s ‘best beach’ with crystal clear water and white sands compared to Majorca and Ibiza
  • Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell with Jack Black cameo and Diogo Jota tribute
  • BBC doctor says you should send a text message this week
  • Major hunt for fare dodgers who beat off-duty policewoman who confronted them
  • Horror moment ‘pet’ lion leaps over garden wall to maul mum and two kids
  • ‘I wore “pyjama jeans” from a Taylor Swift-approved brand and I can’t go back to normal denim’
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
England TimesEngland Times
Demo
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
England TimesEngland Times
Home » Green Wing star Sophie Alexander’s former partner Gerald Harper dies aged 96
Entertainment

Green Wing star Sophie Alexander’s former partner Gerald Harper dies aged 96

By staff5 July 2025No Comments3 Mins Read

Gerald Harper was an actor himself, having worked on stage – at the West End in the likes of Crucifer of Blood and A Personal Affair – and across television during his long career

Veteran stage and TV performer Gerald Harper – who was in a brief relationship with an actress 40 years his junior – has died.

Gerald made his name on British TV in the 1960s and 1970s, starring as the lead role in the adventure drama Adam Adamant Lives! and then as the main character in Hadleigh. He then went on to forge an illustrious career on the stage, featuring in various West End shows, including Crucifer of Blood and A Personal Affair at the Haymarket Theatre.

Although he was also in popular films, such as 1979 mystery comedy The Lady Vanishes, Gerald will also be remembered for his relationship with Coupling and Green Wing star Sophie Alexander. He was in his early 70s when Sophie, then aged around 30, became lovers. Sophie was at the height of her own fame at the time, as she was a regular in sitcom Coupling and had been in Smack the Pony for four years.

Speaking at the time, a source who saw the couple together told our sister title, the Sunday People: “They were super-glued together! They were all over each other and didn’t care who saw them. Funnily enough, the young lady was making a lot of the running and kept grabbing him to French kiss him – it was quite a display.”

But Sophie, who has since been in Hollywood film I Could Never Be Your Woman, ended things with Gerald in 2002. She left Gerald for actor Peter Serafinowicz, whom she since married.


Mick Ralphs dead: Tragedy as Bad Company co-creator passes away aged 81

Gerald died on Wednesday, his agent confirmed yesterday. CDM Talent Agency posted on social media: “It is with great sadness that Gerald Harper has recently passed away – he was a valued client before he went to Spain to enjoy his retirement.” It is unclear where the actor died.

He leaves behind two grown-up children, one from each of his two marriages before he met Sophie. Gerald, who also a radio presenter, was married to actress Jane Downs from 1957 until they divorced in 1975. In 1976, he married Carla Rabaiotti, a former Pan American air stewardess; they were divorced in 1983. He had a daughter with Heartbeat star Jane, who herself passed away in 2015, and a son with Carla.

Yet it is the fling with Sophie, long after the marriages, which caused the stir in Notting Hill, central London, where Gerald lived. Sophie reportedly moved in with the star, some 42 years her senior, which was believed to have raised eyebrows in the affluent area. It is said, though, Gerald was “absolutely bereft” when Sarah left him for Amandaland star Peter in 2002.

Since then, Gerald’s TV work declined and he focused more on plays and radio presenting. The charismatic performer presented The Sunday Affair for Capital Radio in the 1970s, and a series of Saturday afternoon shows for BBC Radio 2 in the early 1990s, in which he played classic songs from the past and gave away bottles of champagne and chocolates.

Speaking to the Daily Express in 2006, dad-of-two Gerald, who grew up in Barnet, northwest London, said: “I was a TV star on my own terms and for the best part of 20 years I virtually didn’t have a day off.”

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email

Related News

Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell with Jack Black cameo and Diogo Jota tribute

5 July 2025

Wimbledon 2025 best dressed celebrities: Top courtside style moments and where to shop the looks

5 July 2025

Mel B spotted just hours before wedding in Spice Girls-inspired outfit

5 July 2025

‘I was at Oasis’ first night – there was one moment where Noel’s mask slipped over feud’

5 July 2025

Oasis fans fume as concertgoer doesn’t know ‘greatest song of all time’

5 July 2025

Mel B shares snaps of unusual wedding preparation ahead of lavish ceremony

5 July 2025
Latest News

Cam Norrie left stunned over ‘dating Emma Raducanu’ question right after Wimbledon win

5 July 2025

UK’s ‘best beach’ with crystal clear water and white sands compared to Majorca and Ibiza

5 July 2025

Black Sabbath LIVE: Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell with Jack Black cameo and Diogo Jota tribute

5 July 2025

BBC doctor says you should send a text message this week

5 July 2025
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss
News

Major hunt for fare dodgers who beat off-duty policewoman who confronted them

By staff5 July 20250

The British Transport Police have released CCTV images showing four men and two women they…

Horror moment ‘pet’ lion leaps over garden wall to maul mum and two kids

5 July 2025

‘I wore “pyjama jeans” from a Taylor Swift-approved brand and I can’t go back to normal denim’

5 July 2025

Oliver Bearman slapped with massive British GP grid penalty for dangerous Silverstone act

5 July 2025
England Times
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 England Times. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version