Tessa Peake-Jones has been a familiar face on British television for decades. Known to millions as Raquel Turner in the beloved sitcom Only Fools and Horses, she has also found a new generation of fans through her role in Grantchester. Born in Hammersmith, London, in 1957, Peake-Jones trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama before beginning her screen career in the late 1970s. Her longevity in the industry has made her a subject of ongoing public curiosity, with questions about her life status, family, and current activities appearing regularly in search results.
This article provides a clear, fact-based overview of what is known about the actress. It addresses the most common questions about her life, career, and personal circumstances, drawing on published sources to separate established information from unconfirmed claims.
Is Tessa Peake-Jones Still Alive?
Yes, Tessa Peake-Jones is alive and remains professionally active. She is 69 years old in 2026 and continues to be associated with the ITV series Grantchester, with reports indicating she was poised to return for the show’s ninth season. No credible source suggests otherwise.
9 May 1957 (age 69 in 2026)
Alive, active
Douglas Hodge (separated 2013)
Raquel in Only Fools and Horses, Mrs Chapman in Grantchester
- Tessa Peake-Jones is alive and well as of 2025, with no credible reports of illness or death.
- She was in a long-term relationship with actor Douglas Hodge; they have two children together.
- Her net worth is not publicly confirmed; online estimates are unverified.
- She continues to act, most recently in the ITV series Grantchester and stage productions.
- Rumours about her health appear to be unfounded; no official statement has been issued.
- She is best known for two iconic television roles spanning more than three decades.
- Public interest in her life often reflects nostalgia for Only Fools and Horses and curiosity about her current work.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tessa Peake-Jones |
| Date of Birth | 9 May 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Hammersmith, London, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1979–present |
| Long-Term Partner | Douglas Hodge (together 1984–2013) |
| Children | 2 (one son, one daughter) |
| Notable Roles | Raquel (Only Fools and Horses), Mrs Chapman (Grantchester) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Alive? | Yes |
Who Is Tessa Peake-Jones Married To?
Tessa Peake-Jones was in a long-term relationship with the actor Douglas Hodge, not a current husband according to the sources available. They were together for approximately 29 years and separated in February 2013. Some sources indicate the relationship began in 1984.
Was she ever married to Douglas Hodge?
The available records consistently identify Douglas Hodge as her former long-term partner rather than a spouse. No reliable source confirms a legal marriage between them. Both are actors, and their relationship was widely known in British entertainment circles.
What is known about Douglas Hodge?
Douglas Hodge is a British actor and director. He and Peake-Jones shared a home and raised two children together before their separation. After the split, both have maintained careers in theatre and television.
Multiple sources, including Wikipedia and entertainment databases, refer to Douglas Hodge as Peake-Jones’s former long-term partner rather than her husband. The exact year of any marriage, if it occurred, is not publicly documented. The most reliable accounts describe a 29-year partnership that ended in 2013.
Does Tessa Peake-Jones Have Children?
Yes, Tessa Peake-Jones has two children with Douglas Hodge. Their names are recorded as Charlie Hodge and Mollie Rose Hodge, with one source listing the spelling Molly-Rose. The family lived together during the years of her relationship with Hodge.
What are her children’s names?
Charlie Hodge, her son, and Mollie Rose Hodge, her daughter, are both listed in biographies and entertainment profiles. The variation in spelling for her daughter’s name appears across different sources, but the core names are consistent.
Are her children involved in acting?
No public information suggests that either of her children has pursued a professional acting career. They have largely remained out of the public spotlight, which is consistent with Peake-Jones’s own relatively private approach to her personal life.
What Is Tessa Peake-Jones Doing Now?
Tessa Peake-Jones continues to act. Her most prominent current role is Mrs. Maguire / Mrs. Chapman in the ITV period drama Grantchester, a part she has played since 2014. Reports indicate she was poised to return for the show’s ninth season in 2025/2026 coverage.
Is she still appearing in Grantchester?
Yes, the results indicate she was still associated with Grantchester into 2026, suggesting continued relevance or ongoing appearances in the series. An entertainment article notes that she was expected to be part of the ninth season.
Does she still do stage work?
Peake-Jones began her career in theatre, having trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. While specific stage credits beyond 2025 are not detailed in the available sources, her professional profile indicates she remains active in the industry.
Tessa Peake-Jones’s career has now spanned more than four decades, from her professional debut in 1979 to her continued work on Grantchester in the mid-2020s. Her ability to sustain a long television career is reflected in two signature roles that are separated by more than 25 years.
What Is Tessa Peake-Jones’s Net Worth?
A reliable, publicly verified net worth figure for Tessa Peake-Jones is not available. One entertainment profile states that her exact net worth is not publicly known and notes that online estimates vary, but those estimates are unverified. No official financial disclosure has been made.
Why is net worth information not available?
Unlike some public figures, Peake-Jones has not publicly disclosed her earnings or financial details. The absence of a confirmed figure is common among British actors who do not court publicity about their personal finances. Any number circulating online should be treated as speculative.
Was Tessa Peake-Jones Ill? A Look at Health Rumours
No reliable source in the available results confirms a major illness, cancer diagnosis, or similar health issue affecting Tessa Peake-Jones. Based on the provided information, there is no sourced evidence that she has a known public illness. Any rumours to the contrary appear to be unsubstantiated.
Where do health rumours come from?
Health rumours about public figures often circulate online without foundation. In Peake-Jones’s case, the absence of any official statement or credible reporting suggests that such claims are not based on fact. The actress has continued working, which further undermines speculation about serious illness.
No credible source among the available records reports that Tessa Peake-Jones has experienced a health scare or serious illness. Wikipedia, IMDb, and entertainment profiles all lack any mention of such an event. Readers should treat any health-related claims with caution unless they are supported by a reliable source.
What Is Tessa Peake-Jones’s Career Timeline?
The following timeline outlines the key known events in Tessa Peake-Jones’s life and career, based on published sources.
- 1957 – Born in Hammersmith, London, England.
- 1979 – Professional debut, likely on stage, after training at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
- 1988 – First appearance as Raquel Turner in Only Fools and Horses, the role that would define her career.
- 1984 – Relationship with actor Douglas Hodge begins, according to one source.
- 2003 – Final appearance as Raquel in Only Fools and Horses, a role played across multiple runs.
- 2013 – Separation from Douglas Hodge after approximately 29 years together.
- 2014 – Begins role as Mrs. Maguire / Mrs. Chapman in Grantchester.
- 2025–2026 – Continues to be associated with Grantchester, with reports of a ninth season.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear?
Some aspects of Tessa Peake-Jones’s life are well documented, while others remain uncertain. The table below separates established facts from information that is not yet confirmed by reliable sources.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Tessa Peake-Jones is alive as of 2025. | The exact year of any marriage to Douglas Hodge is not publicly documented. |
| She was in a long-term relationship with Douglas Hodge. | Net worth is an estimate; no verified figures exist. |
| She has two children: Charlie and Mollie Rose Hodge. | Health rumours are unconfirmed; no public statement has been made regarding any illness. |
| She was born on 9 May 1957 in Hammersmith, London. | Specific future projects beyond Grantchester have not been announced. |
| She is best known for Only Fools and Horses and Grantchester. | Her exact height is not widely reported in official sources. |
Why Does the Public Search for Tessa Peake-Jones?
The high volume of search queries about Tessa Peake-Jones reflects a mix of nostalgia and ongoing interest. Many people who grew up watching Only Fools and Horses want to know what happened to the actress who played Raquel. The periodic appearance of death hoaxes or confusion about her status also drives verification searches.
Queries about her appearance when she was young suggest a desire for nostalgic content, while net worth questions reflect a common curiosity about the finances of public figures. The 2026 query indicates anticipation of upcoming projects or events, particularly around Grantchester.
The lack of a single central FAQ page has led to fragmented searches across multiple platforms. This article aims to consolidate the most reliable available information into one place.
Where Can You Find Reliable Information?
The most authoritative source for Tessa Peake-Jones’s biography is Wikipedia, which maintains a regularly updated entry with citations. Entertainment databases such as IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes provide verified career credits. The following quotes come from these sources.
“Tessa Peake-Jones (born 9 May 1957) is an English actress…”
— Wikipedia
“She played Raquel in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses…”
— Wikipedia
“Tessa Peake-Jones is well known as ‘Mrs Chapman’ in Grantchester…”
— Independent Talent Group
Summary of Key Facts About Tessa Peake-Jones
Tessa Peake-Jones is a British actress, born on 9 May 1957 in Hammersmith, London. She is alive and continues to act, most notably in Grantchester. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Douglas Hodge, with whom she has two children. Her net worth has not been publicly confirmed, and no credible evidence supports health rumours. She remains best known for playing Raquel Turner in Only Fools and Horses and Mrs. Chapman in Grantchester. For further reading, see the biography of Will Sharpe – Biography, Ethnicity, Wife and The White Lotus Role, her co-star in Grantchester.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Tessa Peake-Jones look like when she was young?
Photos from her early career in the 1980s show her with dark hair and a youthful appearance. She is often remembered for her role as Raquel in Only Fools and Horses.
How old is Tessa Peake-Jones?
She was born on 9 May 1957, making her 68 years old in 2025 and 69 in 2026.
What are Tessa Peake-Jones’s most famous roles?
She is best known for playing Raquel in Only Fools and Horses (1988–2003) and Mrs Chapman in the ITV series Grantchester (2014–present).
Is Tessa Peake-Jones still acting?
Yes, she continues to act, most recently in Grantchester and stage productions.
What is Tessa Peake-Jones’s connection to Douglas Hodge?
Douglas Hodge is her former long-term partner. They are both actors and were together for approximately 29 years before separating in 2013.
How many children does Tessa Peake-Jones have?
She has two children, a son named Charlie Hodge and a daughter named Mollie Rose Hodge.
What is Tessa Peake-Jones’s salary or earnings?
Exact salary is not public, and her net worth is not officially confirmed. Online estimates vary and are unverified.
When was Tessa Peake-Jones born?
9 May 1957.
What is Tessa Peake-Jones’s height?
Height is not widely reported in official sources, but she appears to be of average stature.
Did Tessa Peake-Jones have a health scare?
There are no credible reports of a health scare. Any rumours are unsubstantiated and not supported by reliable sources.
What are Tessa Peake-Jones’s upcoming projects in 2026?
As of 2025, no specific 2026 projects have been announced beyond her continued association with Grantchester.
For more on British television actors, see also Nina Sosanya – Biography, Age, and Notable Roles, another respected stage and screen performer.
Sophie Kendall is Culture & Events Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering restaurants, nightlife, theatre, exhibitions, festivals and city life.