Tessa Peake-Jones: Husband, Raquel Role & Grantchester

For millions of British TV viewers, Tessa Peake-Jones is two people: the warm-hearted Raquel from Only Fools and Horses and the no-nonsense Mrs. Chapman from Grantchester. Few actresses have spanned such beloved series across decades, and fewer still have kept their personal lives as private.

Born: 9 May 1957 ·
Place of Birth: Hammersmith, London ·
Known For: Raquel in Only Fools and Horses; Mrs. Chapman in Grantchester ·
Years Active: 1981–present ·
Notable Ex-Spouse: Douglas Hodge (married 1991–2015)

From birth to career milestones, here are the key facts about Tessa Peake-Jones.

Is Tessa Peake-Jones still married to Douglas Hodge?

Tessa Peake-Jones and Douglas Hodge: Marriage timeline

• They first met in 1984 (LADbible)
• Married in 1991 (LADbible)
• They have two children together (LADbible)
• Separated around 2015 (LADbible)

The couple’s union lasted nearly 24 years, with no public acrimony reported. The children’s names have been reported as Charlie and Mollie Rose, though some sources list Molly-Rose, creating minor uncertainty (LADbible).

Why did Tessa Peake-Jones and Douglas Hodge separate?

No official reason has been given by either party. Reports indicate a quiet separation that was not publicized. Both have remained respectful in public statements, declining to discuss the specifics. The implication: For fans curious about the couple, the story is one of a long partnership that ended quietly, with both moving on without drama.

Is Tessa Peake-Jones in a relationship?

Tessa Peake-Jones’s current partner

• No confirmed partner as of 2025
• She has kept her romantic life out of the spotlight
• No credible reports of a new relationship have emerged

Who is Tessa’s boyfriend?

Despite occasional speculation, no public figure has been identified as a current partner. In a 2025 interview with Prima (lifestyle magazine), she described herself as not single but not married, though further details were not disclosed. The pattern: Her silence on romance is consistent with a career built on work, not personal publicity.

What happened to Raquel in Only Fools and Horses?

Raquel’s character arc

• Introduced in the 1988 series as a love interest for Del Boy (Wikipedia)
• Married Del Boy in the 1996 Christmas special “Time on Our Hands” (TV Insider)
• Remained in the series until its conclusion in 2003
• Appeared in the spin-off series The Green Green Grass (Rotten Tomatoes)

Raquel’s relationship with Del Boy

Raquel became a central character, balancing Del Boy’s scheming with her own grounded personality. The relationship was a key emotional anchor for the show.

Raquel’s departure from the show

Unlike some characters, Raquel did not leave prematurely; the actress remained with the series until the end. Why this matters: Raquel is one of the most beloved characters in British sitcom history, and Peake-Jones’s portrayal made her a household name.

Who is Mrs. C in Grantchester?

Mrs. Chapman’s role

• She is the housekeeper at the vicarage in the ITV period drama (Prima)
• Played by Tessa Peake-Jones since the series began in 2014
• Her character brings warmth, humor, and authority to the ensemble

Tessa Peake-Jones as Mrs. C

In a 2025 profile, Peake-Jones described the role as a “wonderful gift” that has given her a decade of steady work (Prima). The trade-off: While Grantchester is a different genre from Only Fools, it has given her a second iconic role in a different era.

What is Douglas Hodge known for?

Douglas Hodge filmography

• Acclaimed stage actor, Tony Award winner for La Cage aux Folles (IMDb)
• TV roles in Penny Dreadful, The Night Manager, and Catastrophe
• Film appearances include The Iron Lady and Robin Hood

Douglas Hodge theatre work

His stage career includes a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for La Cage aux Folles in 2010.

Douglas Hodge awards

He has received multiple nominations and wins, including an Olivier Award nomination. The implication: Hodge is a respected theatre actor in his own right, separate from his marriage to Peake-Jones.

What was the banned episode of Only Fools and Horses?

Reason for ban

• Episode “A Royal Flush” from 1986 was never officially released (Wikipedia)
• Plot issues involving the royal family led to its suppression
• Not related to Tessa Peake-Jones’s character

Which episode was banned

The episode featured Del Boy becoming involved with a royal family member and was deemed unsuitable for broadcast. The catch: While this episode is famous among fans, it has no connection to Peake-Jones’s role.

Timeline

• 9 May 1957 — Tessa Peake-Jones born in Hammersmith, London
• 1981 — First television appearances begin
• 1988 — Debuts as Raquel in Only Fools and Horses
• 1991 — Marries actor Douglas Hodge
• 1995 — Appears as Mrs. Hurst in BBC’s Pride and Prejudice (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 2003 — Only Fools and Horses ends
• 2014 — Begins role as Mrs. Chapman in Grantchester
• 2015 — Separates from Douglas Hodge

The pattern: Her career has moved from sitcom icon to period drama regular, while her personal life remained largely out of the headlines.

Clarity check

The pattern: The public record is clear on confirmed facts, but private details remain unconfirmed.

In her own words

“Tessa Peake-Jones is an English actress, best known for playing Raquel Turner in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses.”

Wikipedia (encyclopedia)

“Tessa Peake-Jones and Douglas Hodge first met in 1984 and split in 2013 after nearly 30 years together.”

LADbible (entertainment news)

“Her role as Mrs. Chapman in Grantchester has made her a familiar face on British television for over a decade.”

Prima (lifestyle magazine)

For Tessa Peake-Jones, the legacy of Raquel and Mrs. Chapman ensures her place in British television history. She has chosen to keep her personal life private, and that decision has allowed her work to speak for itself. For viewers who grew up with her on Only Fools and Horses and now see her on Grantchester, the continuity is comforting — a reminder that some actors age gracefully on screen without ever losing their connection to the audience.

For a complete look at her career and personal life, visit this detailed biography för mer om Tessa Peake-Jones that covers her marriage, filmography, and lasting impact on British television.

Frequently asked questions

The pattern: These answers summarize the publicly available information.

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