Fay Ripley
Updated: 12/11/2025, 9:52:58 AM Wikipedia source
Fay Ripley (born 26 February 1966) is an English actress, television presenter and recipe author. She is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1990). Her first professional role was in the chorus of a pantomime version of Around the World in 80 Days. Ripley's early film and television appearances were limited, so she supplemented her earnings by working as a children's entertainer and by selling menswear door-to-door. After her scenes as a prostitute were cut from Frankenstein (1994), Ripley gained her first major film role playing Karen Hughes in Mute Witness (1995). In 1996, Ripley was cast in her breakthrough role of Jenny Gifford in the ITV series Cold Feet. Initially a supporting role in the pilot episode, Ripley's character was expanded when a series was commissioned in 1998. She stayed with the show for three full series before leaving to take more varied roles and to spend more time with her family. She returned for a guest appearance in the fifth series. After leaving Cold Feet, Ripley played a succession of leading roles in comedies and dramas including Green-Eyed Monster (2001), I Saw You (2002), The Stretford Wives (2002), and Dead Gorgeous (2002). Each role won her critical acclaim. In 2006, she filmed a leading role in the ITV drama Bon Voyage, before taking time away from acting after the birth of her second child. Ripley returned to television in 2009, starring as human resources manager Christine Frances in the ITV comedy drama Monday Monday, and Nicola Perrin alongside Martin Clunes in BBC One's Reggie Perrin. Since 2009, Ripley has authored three recipe books; Fay's Family Food in 2009, What's for Dinner? in 2012 and Fay Makes it Easy in 2014. She is married to actor Daniel Lapaine, with whom she has two children—a daughter and a son—and is an advocate of several charities and causes.
Infobox
Born
Fay Ripley (1966-02-26) 26 February 1966 (age 59)Wimbledon, London, England
Alma mater
Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1990)
Occupation(s)
Actress, recipe author
Years active
1990–present
Spouse
mw- Daniel Lapaine (m. 2001)
Children
2
Occupations
Actress, recipe author
Tables
Film and TV · Filmography
1995
1995
Year(s)
1995
Title
Mute Witness
Role
Karen Hughes
Description
Feature film
Rumble
Rumble
Year(s)
Rumble
Title
Marissa
Role
1 episode of television series:
Episode 4
One for the Road
One for the Road
Year(s)
One for the Road
Title
Jane
Role
1 episode of television series:
"Overdraft"
1996
1996
Year(s)
1996
Title
Karaoke
Role
Club Barmaid
Description
2 episodes of television serial:
"Tuesday"
"Friday"
Frontiers
Frontiers
Year(s)
Frontiers
Title
Elizabeth Kirsten
Role
Television mini-series
1997
1997
Year(s)
1997
Title
Comedy Premieres: Cold Feet
Role
Jenny Gifford
Description
Television pilot
The Bill
The Bill
Year(s)
The Bill
Title
Rose Milne
Role
1 episode of television series:
"Black and Blue"
The Broker's Man
The Broker's Man
Year(s)
The Broker's Man
Title
DS Wendy Atkins
Role
2 episodes of television series:
"Dangerous Bends Part 1"
"Dangerous Bends Part 2"
Roseanna's Grave
Roseanna's Grave
Year(s)
Roseanna's Grave
Title
Francesca
Role
Feature film
1998
1998
Year(s)
1998
Title
How Do You Want Me?
Role
Sophie
Description
1 episode of television series:
"Woof"
1998–2001, 2003, 2016–2020
1998–2001, 2003, 2016–2020
Year(s)
1998–2001, 2003, 2016–2020
Title
Cold Feet
Role
Jenny Gifford
Description
All 9 series
1999
1999
Year(s)
1999
Title
Sofa Melt
Role
Host
Description
Television chat show
2000
2000
Year(s)
2000
Title
I Saw You
Role
Grace Bingley
Description
Television pilot
The Announcement
The Announcement
Year(s)
The Announcement
Title
Alex
Role
Feature film
2001
2001
Year(s)
2001
Title
The Green-Eyed Monster
Role
Deanna
Description
Television film
2002
2002
Year(s)
2002
Title
I Saw You
Role
Grace Bingley
Description
Television series
The Stretford Wives
The Stretford Wives
Year(s)
The Stretford Wives
Title
Donna Massey
Role
Television film
Dead Gorgeous
Dead Gorgeous
Year(s)
Dead Gorgeous
Title
Rose Bell
Role
Television film
2003
2003
Year(s)
2003
Title
Meg and Mog
Role
Meg (voice)
Description
Television series
Bedtime
Bedtime
Year(s)
Bedtime
Title
Jill
Role
1 series of television series
2004
2004
Year(s)
2004
Title
Fungus the Bogeyman
Role
Jane White
Description
Television film
2005
2005
Year(s)
2005
Title
Hustle
Role
Sam Phillips
Description
1 episode of television series:
"Missions"
2006
2006
Year(s)
2006
Title
Bon Voyage
Role
Linda Holder
Description
2-part television film
2009–2010
2009–2010
Year(s)
2009–2010
Title
Reggie Perrin
Role
Nicola Perrin
Description
2 series of television series
2009
2009
Year(s)
2009
Title
My Brilliant Britain
Role
Presenter
Description
1 episode of television series:
Series 1, Episode 10
Monday Monday
Monday Monday
Year(s)
Monday Monday
Title
Christine Frances
Role
1 series of television series
New Tricks
New Tricks
Year(s)
New Tricks
Title
Anna Greening
Role
1 episode of television series:
"The War Against Drugs"
2011
2011
Year(s)
2011
Title
Moving On
Role
Ann Murphy
Description
1 episode of television series:
"Poetry of Silence"
2013
2013
Year(s)
2013
Title
Midsomer Murders
Role
Caroline Potts
Description
1 episode of television series:
"The Sicilian Defence"
2014–2015
2014–2015
Year(s)
2014–2015
Title
Suspects
Role
DI Martha Bellamy
Description
4 series
2015
2015
Year(s)
2015
Title
Burger Bar to Gourmet Star
Role
Herself, narrator
Description
Channel 4 factual series
The Delivery Man
The Delivery Man
Year(s)
The Delivery Man
Title
Caitlin
Role
Six-part comedy series
2016–2017
2016–2017
Year(s)
2016–2017
Title
The One Show
Role
Herself, guest presenter
Description
3 episodes
2017
2017
Year(s)
2017
Title
Dragons' Den: Meet the New Dragons
Role
Narrator
Description
One-off episode
2022
2022
Year(s)
2022
Title
Rosie Jones' Trip Hazard
Role
Herself
Description
One-off episode
2024
2024
Year(s)
2024
Title
Finders Keepers
Role
Anne
Description
Four-part drama
2025
2025
Year(s)
2025
Title
DNA Journey
Role
Herself
Description
One episode with Hermione Norris
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Description |
| 1995 | Mute Witness | Karen Hughes | Feature film |
| Rumble | Marissa | 1 episode of television series: Episode 4 | |
| One for the Road | Jane | 1 episode of television series: "Overdraft" | |
| 1996 | Karaoke | Club Barmaid | 2 episodes of television serial: "Tuesday Friday" |
| Frontiers | Elizabeth Kirsten | Television mini-series | |
| 1997 | Comedy Premieres: Cold Feet | Jenny Gifford | Television pilot |
| The Bill | Rose Milne | 1 episode of television series: "Black and Blue" | |
| The Broker's Man | DS Wendy Atkins | 2 episodes of television series: "Dangerous Bends Part 1 Dangerous Bends Part 2" | |
| Roseanna's Grave | Francesca | Feature film | |
| 1998 | How Do You Want Me? | Sophie | 1 episode of television series: "Woof" |
| 1998–2001, 2003, 2016–2020 | Cold Feet | Jenny Gifford | All 9 series |
| 1999 | Sofa Melt | Host | Television chat show |
| 2000 | I Saw You | Grace Bingley | Television pilot |
| The Announcement | Alex | Feature film | |
| 2001 | The Green-Eyed Monster | Deanna | Television film |
| 2002 | I Saw You | Grace Bingley | Television series |
| The Stretford Wives | Donna Massey | Television film | |
| Dead Gorgeous | Rose Bell | Television film | |
| 2003 | Meg and Mog | Meg (voice) | Television series |
| Bedtime | Jill | 1 series of television series | |
| 2004 | Fungus the Bogeyman | Jane White | Television film |
| 2005 | Hustle | Sam Phillips | 1 episode of television series: "Missions" |
| 2006 | Bon Voyage | Linda Holder | 2-part television film |
| 2009–2010 | Reggie Perrin | Nicola Perrin | 2 series of television series |
| 2009 | My Brilliant Britain | Presenter | 1 episode of television series: Series 1, Episode 10 |
| Monday Monday | Christine Frances | 1 series of television series | |
| New Tricks | Anna Greening | 1 episode of television series: "The War Against Drugs" | |
| 2011 | Moving On | Ann Murphy | 1 episode of television series: "Poetry of Silence" |
| 2013 | Midsomer Murders | Caroline Potts | 1 episode of television series: "The Sicilian Defence" |
| 2014–2015 | Suspects | DI Martha Bellamy | 4 series |
| 2015 | Burger Bar to Gourmet Star | Herself, narrator | Channel 4 factual series |
| The Delivery Man | Caitlin | Six-part comedy series | |
| 2016–2017 | The One Show | Herself, guest presenter | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Dragons' Den: Meet the New Dragons | Narrator | One-off episode |
| 2022 | Rosie Jones' Trip Hazard | Herself | One-off episode |
| 2024 | Finders Keepers | Anne | Four-part drama |
| 2025 | DNA Journey | Herself | One episode with Hermione Norris |
References
- Ripley, Fay (25 February 2011). "Don't tell me you are going to get my followers up to 5,000 for my birthday tomorrow...https://twitter.com/FayRipley/status/41071051274321921
- British Film Posters: An Illustrated History, Sim Branaghan and Steve Chibnall, 2006, BFI, pp. 232–3
- RIPLEY, Sydney William Leonard (1909–1991), Member, Greater London Council (Kingston-upon-Thames Borough), 1964–86 : Whohttp://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U175107
- Cooke, Rachel (11 August 2002). "The talented Miss Ripley". The Observer (Guardian News & Media): pp. 3–4 (Observer Revihttps://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2002/aug/11/features.review17
- Steiner, Susie (23 March 2002). "The accidental feminist". The Guardian (Guardian News & Media): p. 34 (Weekend supplemehttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/mar/23/weekend.susiesteiner
- Mackay, Neil (9 September 2001). "The talented Miss Ripley". The Sunday Herald (Newsquest Sunday Herald): p. 6.
- Nightingale, Julie (18 November 2001). "Why Fay has got Cold Feet". The Express on Sunday (Express Newspapers): p. 75.
- Ross, Deborah (29 April 2002). "The Deborah Ross Interview: Cold Feet, hot property". The Independent (Independent Newshttps://web.archive.org/web/20091222012422/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/fay-ripley-cold-feet-hot-property-658518.html
- Smith, Aidan (9 November 2000). "According to Ripley". The Scotsman (Scotsman Publications): p. 8.
- Staff (26 October 2003). "My first crash: Fay Ripley[dead link]". The Sunday Times (Times Newspapers): p. 24 (Driving suhttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article1000356.ece
- Grice, Elizabeth (6 October 2006). "'People cross the road to tell me how ridiculous I look'". The Daily Telegraph (Tele
- "Acting graduates include... Archived 27 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine". Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Retrievedhttp://www.gsmd.ac.uk/acting/introduction/samples_of_work_done.html
- Staff (13 December 1990). [Pantomime listings]. The Stage and Television Today: p. 26.
- Staff (31 October 1991). "Production news". The Stage and Television Today: p. 12.
- Staff (22 May 1999). "Wink 'n' nod thriller". Daily Record (Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail): pp. 30–31.
- Staff (10 September 1995). [Theatre listings]. The Observer (Guardian Newspapers): p. 154.
- "Fay Ripley Filmography". British Film Institute. Retrieved 30 October 2009.https://web.archive.org/web/20090202112050/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/604991?view=credit
- Welch, Andy (11 July 2009). "Fay is just off her trolley". Western Morning News (Northcliffe Newspapers Group): p. 25.
- Tibballs, Geoff (2000). Cold Feet: The Best Bits.... London: Granada Media: p. 12. ISBN 0-233-99924-8.
- Smith, Rupert (2003). Cold Feet: The Complete Companion. London: Granada Media: p. 75. ISBN 0-233-00999-X.
- Tibballs, p. 35.
- Barber, Nicholas (22 November 1998). "Comedy drama: What's less believable than Dr Who? Archived 26 December 2017 at thehttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy-drama-whats-less-believable-than-dr-who-1186551.html
- Staff (17 November 1999). "Royle flush in comedy shortlist". BBC News Online. Retrieved 12 August 2008.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/523406.stm
- "Television Nominations 2000 Archived 1 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine". British Academy of Film and Television Arthttp://www.bafta.org/awards/television/nominations/?year=2000
- Blecher, David (27 May 2002). "Caught between two time zones". The Herald (Scottish Media Newspapers): p. 17.
- Joseph, Joe (23 May 2000). "Attacked by the love bug". The Times (Times Newspapers): p. 27 (Times2 supplement).
- Ripley, Fay. Radio interview with Chris Hawkins. Chris Hawkins. BBC 6 Music. TX: 20 October 2009.https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nf0dl
- McLean, Gareth (10 September 2001). "Husbands and knives". The Guardian (Guardian News & Media): p. 22 (Weekend supplemehttps://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/sep/10/tvandradio.television2
- Ryan, Gary (13 August 2002). "Upclose with Fay Ripley [dead link]". City Life (M.E.N. Media).http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/theatre_and_dance/s/16/16716_upclose_with_fay_ripley.html
- Smith, Christine (18 April 2009). "The Rise and Rise of fabulous Fay". Daily Record (Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mailhttp://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/showbiz-news/celebrity-interviews/2009/04/18/former-cold-feet-favourite-fay-ripley-on-her-tv-return-in-the-reggie-perrin-remake-86908-21286836/
- Chater, David (19 April 2005). "Viewing Guide[dead link]". The Times (Times Newspapers): p. 37 (Times2 supplement).http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article382586.ece
- English, Paul (21 October 2006). "Against mother's nature". Daily Record (Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail): p. 4.
- Sutcliffe, Thomas (25 October 2006). "Where the truth can't be treated". The Independent (Independent News & Media): p.
- McLean, Gareth (24 October 2006). "Watch this..." The Guardian (Guardian News & Media): p. 34 (G2 supplement).
- McIver, Brian (26 October 2006). "Thrills and chills in a loony fest". Daily Record (Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail
- Staff (9 October 2010). "Fay Ripley's back as put-upon wife Nicola in a new series of Reggie Perrin on BBC One". Western
- Montgomery, Hugh (19 April 2009). "Fay Ripley". The Independent on Sunday (Independent News & Media): p. 49.
- Walker, Tim (22 June 2011). "Fay Ripley: Working-class TV just a fad". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group): p. 9https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8589866/Russell-Crowe-Why-I-turned-down-56-million-role-in-The-Lord-of-the-Rings.html
- Staff (7 July 2009). "Ripley: 'Christine's not evil, she's just a mess' Archived 20 February 2012 at the Wayback Machinehttp://www.whatsontv.co.uk/drama/monday-monday/interviews/ripley-christines-not-evil-shes-just-a-mess/6324
- Hennessey, Stewart (30 May 1999). "Siren call of the sofa". Scotland on Sunday (Scotsman Publications): p. 38.
- Flett, Kathryn (18 November 2001). "Is this the most depressing sight on television?". The Observer (Guardian News & Medhttps://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/nov/18/features.review7
- "The Big Read: Book Champions". BBC Online. Retrieved 26 July 2009https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/bookchampions.shtml
- "My Brilliant Britain Archived 2 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine". Blighty. Retrieved 26 December 2009.http://uktv.co.uk/blighty/item/aid/614072/displayVideo/hi
- Ripley, Fay. Television interview with Jeremy Clarkson Archived 28 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Top Gear (Seriehttp://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/cold-feet-faye
- Tylee, John (3 September 2004). "Fay Ripley stars in new TV campaign for Lotto". Campaign (Haymarket Media): p. 6.http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/news/221237/Fay-Ripley-stars-new-TV-campaign-Lotto/
- Staff (25 March 2008). "Tesco Direct 'affair' by The Red Brick Road". Campaign Live (Haymarket Media). Retrieved 27 Julyhttp://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/885494/Tesco-Direct-affair-Red-Brick-Road/
- Thomas, Joe (12 May 2009). "The strategy behind the Tesco Clubcard relaunch". marketingmagazine.co.uk (Haymarket Media).http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/905040/strategy-behind-Tesco-Clubcard-relaunch/
- Spencer, Kathryn. (19 September 2007). "Day & Night: Fay's shock at reunion gossip". Sunday Express (Express Newspapers)http://express.co.uk/posts/view/19465/Fay%92s-shock-at-reunion-gossip/
- Ripley, Fay (2009). Fay's Family Food. London: Michael Joseph. ISBN 978-0-7181-5460-8.
- Digby, Marie-Claire (30 May 2009). "Summer reads". The Irish Times: p. 24.
- "Kerry Jackson | National Theatre"https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/kerry-jackson
- Staff (12 July 2002)"Seconds out – on a date Archived 1 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine". Gazette Live (Gazette Medhttp://www.gazettelive.co.uk/whats-on/cinema-listings-film-reviews/2002/07/12/seconds-out-on-a-date-84229-12028777/
- Staff (1 November 2002). "In brief: Cold Feet actress has daughter". BBC News Online. Retrieved 27 July 2009.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2387435.stm
- "ACT Campaign launch event Archived 25 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine". Women's Aid Federation of England. Retrievhttp://womensaid.nemisys.uk.com/page.asp?section=00010001001000060003§ionTitle=Celebrity+campaign+launch
- "Fay Ripley, UK media personality visits Tanzania [dead link]". ActionAid International. Retrieved 27 July 2009.http://www.actionaid.org/tanzania/index.aspx?PageID=4109
- Kebble, Mark (12 February 2009). "Fay Ripley: Life of Ripley Archived 3 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine". Angel & Northttp://angel.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/fay-ripley-cold-feet-4009/
- Lefley, Jack (21 May 2008). "Third runway a risk to families, say TV mothers Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machinehttp://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23486301-third-runway-a-risk-to-families-say-tv-mothers.do
- channel4.comhttps://www.channel4.com/programmes/rosie-jones-trip-hazard/on-demand/73754-005
- radiotimes.comhttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/finders-keepers-neil-morrissey-first-look-exclusive-newsupdate/
- itv.com/presscentrehttps://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/announcing-brand-new-celebrity-line-itvs-dna-journey