logo
BBC star who rose to fame in 60s & dated Coupling's Sarah Alexander dies aged 96 as tributes pour in

BBC star who rose to fame in 60s & dated Coupling's Sarah Alexander dies aged 96 as tributes pour in

The Irish Sun05-07-2025
A BBC star who rose to fame in the 60s and dated Sarah Alexander has died aged 96.
Gerald Harper, who made his name on British TV, sadly passed away on Wednesday, his agent confirmed.
3
Gerald Harper as Stephen Ashley in 'Crown Court' in 1979
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
3
Gerald Harper in the 'Murder by Misadventure' Play performed in the Vaudeville Theatre in 1991
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
3
Harper in the 2000s
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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 or his cause of death.
Gerald is best known for starring as the lead role in the adventure drama Adam Adamant Lives! and then as the main character in Hadleigh.
Following his TV career, he returned to his main passion in theatre.
His classical work includes playing on Broadway with the Old Vic company, playing Iago at the Bristol Old Vic and Benedick at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
Gerald forged an illustrious career on
the stage,
featuring in various West End shows, including Crucifer of Blood and A Personal Affair at the Haymarket Theatre.
The charismatic performer presented The Sunday Affair for Capital Radio in the 1970s.
Gerald also hosted 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.
Most read in News TV
The star will also be well remembered for his relationship with Coupling and Green Wing star Sarah Alexander.
Sarah, 54, was only 25 when she was first spotted dating Gerald Harper, then 68, in 1996.
Gerald was in his early 70s when Sarah, then aged around 30, became lovers.
Sarah was at the height of her own fame at the time, as she was a regular in sitcom Coupling.
A passer-by told the Sunday People of Gerald and Sarah at the time: "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."
Friends said Harper was "absolutely bereft" when Sarah left him for Amandaland star Peter Serafinowicz in 2002.
Before his relationship with Sarah, Gerald was married to Carla Rabaiotti, a former Pan American air stewardess.
The pair, who later divorced in 1983, share a son.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Harper was previously married to actress Jane Downs from 1957 until they divorced in 1975. They share a daughter.
At the height of his fame Harper was TV's most eligible bachelor in ITV's Hadleigh, which ran from 1969 to 1976.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BBC star left flummoxed by tricky Celebrity Catchphrase puzzle – but could you solve it?
BBC star left flummoxed by tricky Celebrity Catchphrase puzzle – but could you solve it?

The Irish Sun

time21 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

BBC star left flummoxed by tricky Celebrity Catchphrase puzzle – but could you solve it?

BBC Sport presenter Mark Chapman was left scratching his head on Celebrity Catchphrase after struggling to guess a well-known saying in the final round. Viewers were shouting at their telly screens as the well-known face stumbled over a baffling brainteaser in the final round. Advertisement 2 BBC favourite Mark Chapman was left stumped by a baffling Celebrity Catchphrase puzzle Credit: ITV 2 Host Stephen Mulhern encouraged him to keep guessing - but Mark just couldn't see it Credit: ITV After making it through to the final round, Mark had his skills put to one final test, going against the clock to answer questions on the The 51-year-old, best known for hosting Match of the Day 2 and BBC Radio 5 Live, was left stumbling over his words as the clock ticked down. But would you have any luck? Advertisement more on catchphrase In the clue, Mr Chips was filling up his white van with petrol. The gauge went from E for empty to full, which had an icon of a brown cowboy hat. Mark made several unsuccessful guesses from 'full gallon' to 'filling the tank' to 'one gallon hat'. Do you get it? Advertisement Most read in Reality The answer was: It's full to the brim. Mark was unfortunately unable to figure it out in the timeframe, though he didn't go home empty-handed, earning an incredible £14,000 for his chosen charity. Watch as Celebrity Catchphrase star flounders over tricky puzzle and misses out on big money Mark and Gary Lineker 's Match of the Day replacements in January, with making up the new-look trio . Lineker's BBC exit has sparked a Advertisement Insiders said that the three also be competing to take the main presenting job for next year's FA Cup Final. Top 10 earners at the BBC MOTD Star Gary Lineker retained his place as top earner for another year Gary Lineker - £1.35million Zoe Ball - £515,000 - cut from £950,000 Alan Shearer - £440,000 - up from £380,000 Greg James - £425,000 - up from £415,000 Fiona Bruce - £410,000 - up from £405,000 AND Nick Robinson - £410,000 - up from £345,000 Stephen Nolan - £405,000 Laura Kuenssberg - £395,000 - up from £325,000 Vernon Kay - £390,000 - up from £320,000 Justin Webb - £365,000 - up from £320,000 Naga Munchetty - £355,000 - up from £345,000 Lineker earned a staggering FOUR TIMES more than his Match of the Day successor Mark Chapman last season. The The former striker spent 26 years as MOTD host and saw his pay reach a whopping £1.35 million per year. Advertisement Mark pocketed a cool £325,000 last year for his work with the BBC, which included 120 episodes of Radio 5 Live, the Olympics, Euro 2024 and, of course, Match of the Day 2. Despite his array of stellar work, 'Chappers' earned more than £1m LESS than his MOTD predecessor, Lineker - who officially

British rock legend, 63, reveals wife, 38, is pregnant with their first baby together in romantic bump snap
British rock legend, 63, reveals wife, 38, is pregnant with their first baby together in romantic bump snap

The Irish Sun

time21 minutes ago

  • The Irish Sun

British rock legend, 63, reveals wife, 38, is pregnant with their first baby together in romantic bump snap

BRITISH rock legend Roland Orzabal has revealed his wife Emily Rath Orzabal is pregnant with their first baby together. news with a romantic Instagram post showing off her baby bump, simply captioned with a red heart emoji. Advertisement 5 Tears for Fears' Roland Orzabal has revealed his wife Emily Rath Orzabal is pregnant with their first baby together Credit: Alamy 5 She showed off her baby bump in an Instagram announcement Credit: Instagram Posed against a rocky wall, she wore a brown-and-white striped dress and gazed down adoringly at her stomach. The couple privately tied the knot in 2020, saying 'I do' on top of Aspen Mountain in Colorado after the pandemic forced them to cancel their original wedding plans. Reflecting on the moment, Emily shared: 'We had to postpone our original wedding date in September 2020 because of Covid. 'I felt as all corona brides have been feeling: angry, sad, gypped, and confused as to when we should have a wedding. Advertisement read more on Roland Orzabal 'Roland and I were in the States for work. We desperately wanted to get married, even just legally, and so to honour our original date, we secretly eloped, just the two of us, atop a mountain in Aspen. It was the most magical moment of my life. 'It breaks my heart that my family could not be there to see it, but no one wanted to risk their safety. 'Two weddings was never my dream, but we adapted, separating the legal wedding from the celebratory wedding to come.' She went on to say: 'In September we were able to use the autumnal flowers we'd originally wanted, and next year we can have all of the spring flowers! Advertisement Most read in Celebrity 'We got married at 11,212 ft high on Aspen Mountain, whereas next year will be inside an incredible venue. 'I wore a stunning Amanda Wakeley dress, which flowed in the wind so beautifully, and next year I will be wearing Phillipa Lepley. Tears For Fears - Mad World music video 'I still don't feel as though I've had a wedding, because it was just the two of us, and it was a secret. We have yet to have a first dance or a honeymoon! 'But, six months into marriage , I am so happy, and cannot wait to marry Roland again next year, with all of our favourite people around us. We've been planning that one for a very very long time, so it should be extraordinary!' Advertisement The following year, the pair celebrated with a bigger wedding surrounded by loved ones at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Roland already has two sons, Pascal and Raoul, from his previous marriage to Caroline, who sadly died in 2017 at the age of 54 following a battle with alcoholism-related dementia and cirrhosis. After Caroline's death, Roland told Those personal struggles went on to inspire the band's 2022 album The Tipping Point . Advertisement Last October, Tears for Fears released a track titled Emily Said, prompting Emily to write on Instagram: 'It's a good day for Emilys around the world because @tearsforfearsmusic just released a song about us.' Roland remains one half of Tears for Fears, alongside bandmate Curt Smith. The iconic duo are best known for hits like Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Head Over Heels. 5 The couple privately tied the knot in 2020 Credit: Instagram Advertisement 5 Roland remains one half of Tears for Fears, alongside bandmate Curt Smith Credit: Getty - Contributor 5 The iconic duo are best known for hits like Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Head Over Heels Credit: Getty - Contributor

BBC boss Avril MacRory dies ‘peacefully' aged 69 as heartbroken family pays tribute
BBC boss Avril MacRory dies ‘peacefully' aged 69 as heartbroken family pays tribute

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

BBC boss Avril MacRory dies ‘peacefully' aged 69 as heartbroken family pays tribute

A BBC legend has tragically passed away aged 69. Avril MacRory, who worked as the broadcaster's Head of Music Programmes, died peacefully at Royal Trinity Hospice in London earlier this month. Advertisement 2 Avril passed away peacefully earlier this month Tributes have flooded in for the broadcasting star, with family and friends leaving heartwarming messages. As well as her work at the BBC, she worked as executive producer for She regarded the ITV show - now available on Netflix - as one of her "proudest pieces of work". Posting about her tragic passing on social media, Avril's family said: "Avril passed away this morning , peacefully, at Royal Trinity Hospice. Advertisement Read more News "Funeral arrangements will be announced when we have them to share. "The funeral will be in London and so will be held in at least 10 days. "Avril MacRory, 05/04/1956 - 14/07/2025. With love Val and Sam." Writing on Facebook and sharing a photo, a friend hailed Avril's love for her family. Advertisement Most read in Uncategorized Exclusive They said: " From our first meeting as students, everywhere I went, socially and professionally, I met people who knew Avril MacRory, in RTE, the BBC and Channel 4 , mainly in music and the arts but could be anywhere. "She died peacefully early this morning , and was absolutely Avril to the end. "She will be missed by so many. "Photograph shows some of her greatest loves, her father, her husband Val Griffin, son Sam, and Sid the dog, when they borrowed my late mother's house in Dalkey one Christmas." Advertisement BBC Red Dwarf star Charles Augins dies aged 81 after finding fame on popular sci-fi sitcom as tributes pour in Another message said: "Sad to read of the death of Avril MacRory, who was well known for her charity work among the Irish in London. "She was only in her late sixties. Sympathy to her husband, children and extended family." Avril famously ran the Beeb's 28 hour coverage of the Millenium. The event - deemed the biggest ever global broadcast - united dozens of international broadcasters as the world crossed into the 21st century. Advertisement Speaking at the time, Avril said: "It was a moment when public television from around the world was able to come together. "I don't think that can happen again." Avril also served as co-executive producer of the Global Broadcaster Consortium. She worked as an executive producer on 2004 documentary Shadowing the Third Man. Advertisement It was awarded a Gold Medal at The Rome Film Festival in 2006 and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival a year earlier. Avril hailed her appearance at the famous French festival as a "night to remember". 2 Avril was the executive producer on popular ITV show Secret Diary of a Call Girl Credit: Rex More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Advertisement is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store