Karl Howman is a familiar face in British television, best remembered for his role as the cheeky painter and decorator Jacko in the hit BBC sitcom Brush Strokes. But his career has stretched far beyond that iconic 1980s comedy, taking in everything from hard-hitting dramas like The Sweeney to a long stint in EastEnders. So, where is he now?
What is Karl Howman Doing Now?
In 2025, Karl Howman is not starring in a regular television series. Instead, his public activities are focused on a mix of writing, historical filmmaking, and appearances at nostalgia events.
Full Name: Karl Howman
Known For: Ben ‘Jacko’ Jackson in Brush Strokes (1986–1991)
Profession: Actor, Director, Writer
Status: Active (Conventions / Ongoing appearances)
- Karl Howman remains a recognized figure primarily for his role as Jacko in the sitcom Brush Strokes.
- He continues to engage with fans through fan conventions like Collectormania and London Film Fair.
- His career spans film, television, and theater, with notable appearances in EastEnders and Minder.
- Public interest in his personal life (wife, net worth, daughter Chloe) is high but lacks official documentation.
- He is focused on writing and production work, particularly the Secret Spitfires project.
- Howman occasionally takes on acting and voice roles.
- He participates in public speaking and Q&A sessions related to his career.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Known Role | Jacko (Brush Strokes) |
| Notable TV | EastEnders, Minder, The Sweeney |
| Theatre Stage | Multiple UK productions |
| Recent Activity | Fan conventions (2025) |
| Writing/Directing | Secret Spitfires (co-writer, co-director) |
| Music Trivia | Reached #5 in UK Singles Chart with Brush Strokes cast |
What is Karl Howman Best Known For?
Howman’s most famous role is that of Ben “Jacko” Jackson, the energetic painter and decorator in the BBC sitcom Brush Strokes, which ran from 1986 to 1991. The series was one of his major television successes and established him as a familiar face in British comedy. He later played the title character in the BBC sitcom Mulberry, broadcast from 1992 to 1993.
Was Karl Howman in Minder and The Sweeney?
Yes. Before his sitcom fame, Howman made guest appearances in some of Britain’s most iconic crime dramas. He played Danny Varrow in the Minder episode “All About Scoring, Innit?” and appeared as Davey Holmes in The Sweeney episode “May”. He also had a guest role in the sci-fi series Blake’s 7.
Did Karl Howman appear in EastEnders?
In 2014, Howman joined the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Buster Briggs, Shirley Carter’s partner and the biological father of Mick Carter. He remained in the role until approximately 2016, appearing in more than 100 episodes. This role introduced him to a new generation of television viewers.
Available sources do not provide a complete, authoritative film-by-film filmography. IMDb and other entertainment databases list additional television, film and theatre credits, but the most consistently documented roles are Brush Strokes, Mulberry, Minder and EastEnders.
Who is Karl Howman’s Wife?
Public biographical listings identify actress Clare Lightfoot as Howman’s former wife. The marriage reportedly began in 1976 and ended in divorce, with two children. Howman’s current marital or relationship status is not reliably documented. Some online profiles have claimed a current wife named “Mabel Howman,” but those claims are not consistently supported by reputable public records and should be treated as unverified.
Who is Chloe Howman?
Chloe Howman is one of Karl Howman’s two daughters. Both Chloe and her sister Katy-Jo are associated with acting, and both appeared as children in episodes of Brush Strokes.
What is Karl Howman’s net worth?
There is no reliably verified public figure for Karl Howman’s net worth. Online estimates are speculative and do not appear to be supported by audited financial records, official disclosures or credible business reporting.
Karl Howman’s career exemplifies a classic British character actor trajectory: achieving iconic sitcom fame in the 1980s, maintaining steady television and theatre work, and later moving into directing. His enduring popularity is evidenced by continued fan interest and convention bookings.
Karl Howman: A Career Timeline
- 1968: Began acting with the National Youth Theatre.
- 1970s: Guest roles in The Sweeney and Minder.
- 1986–1991: Played Jacko in Brush Strokes (40 episodes).
- 1992–1993: Starred as the title character in the sitcom Mulberry.
- 2014–2016: Portrayed Buster Briggs in EastEnders (over 100 episodes).
- 2020s: Transitioned to directing and writing with the Secret Spitfires project.
What is Known and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| He played Jacko in Brush Strokes and appeared in EastEnders. | Exact net worth is not publicly verified. |
| He is attending fan conventions in 2025. | His current marital status and details about a wife (name, background) are not confirmed by authoritative sources. |
| He was married to Clare Lightfoot and has two daughters, Chloe and Katy-Jo. | A complete and authoritative film-by-film filmography is not available from a single source. |
What is the Secret Spitfires Project?
In later years, Howman expanded into writing and production. His first book, Secret Spitfires, was co-written with Ethem Cetintas and Gavin Clarke and reached paperback publication in 2022. The project also became a film or documentary production, with Howman credited as a co-director and producer. It focuses on the hidden history of the people and locations connected with Britain’s wartime Spitfire effort.
Where Can You Find More Information?
For those looking for a comprehensive list of his credits, the TV Guide site offers a detailed filmography. His theatre work is catalogued on Theatricalia, and a curated film list can be found on MUBI.
Karl Howman: A Summary
Karl Howman is a British actor, writer and director whose career has spanned over five decades. He remains best known for his iconic sitcom role as Jacko, but his work on EastEnders and recent move into filmmaking with Secret Spitfires show a performer who has successfully adapted to the changing television landscape. You can read more about his career transition in Karl Howman – From Brush Strokes Star to Author and Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karl Howman on Wikipedia?
As of early 2025, Karl Howman does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page.
What song did Karl Howman release?
The cast of Brush Strokes released a single that reached number five in the UK Singles Chart.
Did Karl Howman direct anything?
Yes, he co-directed and co-produced the documentary Secret Spitfires.
Is Karl Howman still acting?
He has not had a regular, permanent television role since EastEnders ended in 2016, but he occasionally does acting and voice work.
Where does Karl Howman live?
His current place of residence is not detailed in any publicly available and reliable records.
Did Karl Howman appear in Doctors?
Yes, search results confirm he made a guest appearance in the long-running BBC daytime drama Doctors.
Was Karl Howman’s daughter in Brush Strokes?
Yes, both of his daughters, Chloe and Katy-Jo Howman, appeared in the show as children.
What is Karl Howman doing in 2025?
His activities include writing, producing, and appearing at fan conventions like Collectormania and the London Film Fair.
Sophie Kendall is Culture & Events Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering restaurants, nightlife, theatre, exhibitions, festivals and city life.