Tessa Peake-Jones is an English actress who has been a familiar face on British television for more than four decades. She is best known for playing Raquel Turner, the girlfriend and later wife of Del Boy in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, and for her role as Mrs. Chapman in the ITV period drama Grantchester. As of 2025, she is alive, active, and continues to take on new work.
Born on 9 May 1957 in Hammersmith, London, Peake-Jones studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama before making her television debut in 1978. Her career has spanned stage, screen, and radio, with performances in major productions such as the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, where she played Jane Bennet.
Despite her long-running fame from Only Fools and Horses, she has avoided the kind of public scrutiny that follows many television stars. Public curiosity nonetheless persists around her personal life, finances, and current activities — topics this article addresses using the available, verified facts.
Who Is Tessa Peake-Jones and Is She Still Alive?
Tessa Peake-Jones is alive and working as of 2025. She remains active in television, most recently in the long-running ITV series Grantchester. Below is a summary of her key identifying details.
Tessa Peake-Jones
9 May 1957 (age 68 in 2025)
Actress
Raquel in Only Fools and Horses, Mrs Chapman in Grantchester
Douglas Hodge (long-term partner)
2
Alive and active
Not publicly disclosed
Key insights about Tessa Peake-Jones in 2025:
- She is alive and continues to act as of 2025.
- She is best known for playing Raquel in Only Fools and Horses (1985–2003) and Mrs Chapman in ITV’s Grantchester.
- She was in a long-term relationship with actor Douglas Hodge for 27 years before they separated in 2013.
- Despite being in her late 60s, she remains active in television and stage work.
- No credible reports of serious illness exist; she appears healthy in recent interviews.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 May 1957 |
| Age (2025) | 68 |
| Birthplace | Hammersmith, London, England |
| Partner | Douglas Hodge (actor) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Central School of Speech and Drama |
| Notable Roles | Raquel (Only Fools and Horses), Mrs Chapman (Grantchester), Jane Bennet (Pride and Prejudice 1995) |
| Years Active | 1979–present |
What Is Tessa Peake-Jones’s Personal Life? Husband and Children
Tessa Peake-Jones was in a long-term relationship with actor Douglas Hodge for 27 years. Hodge is known for his roles in The Crown and Penny Dreadful. The couple separated in 2013. Although sources sometimes refer to Hodge as her husband, no official marriage record is confirmed in the available materials; they are widely described as long-term partners.
Does Tessa Peake-Jones have children?
Yes. She has two children with Douglas Hodge: a son named Charlie Hodge and a daughter named Molly-Rose Hodge. The family has largely kept the children out of the public eye, and little additional information about them is available in public records.
Tessa Peake-Jones and Douglas Hodge were partners for 27 years before separating in 2013. They have two children together. Both parents are actors, but they have maintained a private family life away from media attention.
What Is Tessa Peake-Jones’s Net Worth and Career Achievements?
No reliable public figure exists for Tessa Peake-Jones’s net worth. The available sources — including Wikipedia, IMDb, and her agency profile — do not disclose financial information. Any figure circulating online is an estimate and cannot be verified from the provided research.
Career highlights
Peake-Jones made her television debut in 1978 in Fallen Hero, according to Famous Birthdays. Her first major role came in 1981 when she began playing Raquel in Only Fools and Horses, a role she continued until the show ended in 2003. She is described by Rotten Tomatoes as a recurring fan favourite during the show’s long run.
In 1995 she played Jane Bennet in the BBC’s acclaimed adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. From 2014 onward, she has appeared regularly as Mrs Chapman in Grantchester, a role that continues in 2025. Her stage work includes productions at the National Theatre.
No authoritative source — including Wikipedia, IMDb, or her talent agency — provides a verified net worth for Tessa Peake-Jones. Readers should treat any claimed figure as unsubstantiated.
What Is Tessa Peake-Jones Doing Now in 2025? Does She Have Any Illness?
Tessa Peake-Jones continues to appear in the ITV series Grantchester, with season 9 airing in 2025. She gave an interview to Saga magazine in which she discussed her career, the legacy of Only Fools and Horses, and her continued love of acting. No other projects have been formally announced, but her active status suggests further television or stage work is likely.
Is Tessa Peake-Jones ill?
There are no credible reports or records indicating that Tessa Peake-Jones has any serious illness. She appeared healthy and engaged in her recent Saga magazine interview. In the absence of any official statement or credible reporting, any claim of illness remains unsubstantiated.
No verified source confirms that Tessa Peake-Jones has any illness. Public records and recent interviews show her as active and healthy. Any contrary claims should be treated with caution.
When Did Tessa Peake-Jones Begin Her Career and What Are the Key Milestones?
- 1957: Born in Hammersmith, London.
- 1979: Professional stage debut.
- 1981: Begins role as Raquel in Only Fools and Horses (recurring until 2003).
- 1995: Plays Jane Bennet in BBC’s Pride and Prejudice.
- 2000s: Numerous stage roles, including National Theatre productions.
- 2014: Cast as Mrs Chapman in ITV’s Grantchester (ongoing).
- 2025: Continues to appear in Grantchester; gives interview to Saga magazine.
Is Tessa Peake-Jones’s Net Worth Known and Are There Health Concerns?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Tessa Peake-Jones is alive and well as of 2025. | Exact net worth is not publicly available — any figures are estimates. |
| She was in a long-term relationship with actor Douglas Hodge. | Specific details about her health (no known illness, but not officially confirmed). |
| She has two children with Hodge. | Future projects beyond Grantchester have not been announced. |
| She was born on 9 May 1957. | — |
How Has Tessa Peake-Jones Maintained Her Career Over Decades?
Tessa Peake-Jones has built a steady acting career since the late 1970s, transitioning from stage to iconic television roles. Her portrayal of Raquel in Only Fools and Horses made her a household name in the UK, while her ongoing role in Grantchester demonstrates her versatility. Unlike many actors who rise to fame early, she has successfully aged in the industry without major breaks or public scandals.
The public’s recurring questions about her husband, children, net worth, and health reflect her enduring popularity and a desire for personal details beyond her on-screen persona. Her long-term partnership with fellow actor Douglas Hodge was a stable element of her private life, and the couple kept their children largely out of the spotlight.
Where Can I Find Reliable Information About Tessa Peake-Jones?
The most authoritative open-source biography is available on Wikipedia. Her professional credits and filmography are maintained on IMDb and her agency profile at Independent Talent. A recent personal interview with Peake-Jones was published by Saga magazine.
“She opened up on forever being Raquel, reuniting with Sir David Jason and why she still loves working.”
— Saga magazine, from a 2025 interview with Tessa Peake-Jones
“Tessa Peake-Jones (born 9 May 1957) is an English actress who has appeared in many plays and series on British television.”
— Wikipedia
“She is married to actor Douglas Hodge; they have two children.”
— Wikipedia
What Should You Remember About Tessa Peake-Jones?
Tessa Peake-Jones is a respected English actress who built a lasting career on television and stage. She is alive and working in 2025, best known for Only Fools and Horses and Grantchester. She shares two children with long-term partner Douglas Hodge. Her net worth is not publicly documented, and no verified health concerns exist. For fans of British television, she remains a familiar and active presence. For more on other British television actors, see the profile on Beverley Callard – Health, Age, Family and Latest Updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tessa Peake-Jones
What was Tessa Peake-Jones like when young?
She attended Harrow and Downer Grammar School and later trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She made her television debut in 1978 in Fallen Hero.
Does Tessa Peake-Jones have any upcoming projects in 2025?
She continues to appear in Grantchester season 9, airing in 2025. No other projects have been formally announced.
Is Tessa Peake-Jones ill or in poor health?
No credible reports indicate any serious illness. She appeared healthy in a recent 2025 interview with Saga magazine.
How long was Tessa Peake-Jones in Only Fools and Horses?
She played Raquel from 1981 until the series ended in 2003, appearing across many seasons as a recurring character.
What other TV shows has Tessa Peake-Jones appeared in?
Beyond Only Fools and Horses and Grantchester, she played Jane Bennet in the BBC’s 1995 Pride and Prejudice and has performed in numerous stage productions.
Where was Tessa Peake-Jones born?
She was born in Hammersmith, London, England.
What is Tessa Peake-Jones’s educational background?
She attended Harrow and Downer Grammar School and later trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
How old is Tessa Peake-Jones in 2025?
She was born on 9 May 1957, making her 68 years old in 2025.
Who is Tessa Peake-Jones’s partner?
She was in a long-term relationship with actor Douglas Hodge for 27 years. They separated in 2013 and have two children together.
Read about another British actor
For a profile of another notable British performer, see Robert Carlyle – Biography, Movies, Wife, Height and Net Worth.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.