Fay is an English actress and recipe author. She got her first major film role playing Karen Hughes in 1995 horror film Mute Witness before getting her big break playing Jenny Gifford in the much-loved ITV series Cold Feet, following the romances of three couples in Manchester, which has now enjoyed nine series.
How old is Fay Ripley?
Fay was born on 26 February 1966, making her 55, but she didn't look it when we met her! In an interview with Yours she said, "Having a weekly blow-dry is my absolute number one secret to looking good. I haven't gone without one for 30 years, so there you go! I am obsessive about my hair. I wouldn't think twice about leaving the house barefaced, but not if I was having a bad hair day."
Cold Feet
Fay's character of Jenny in Cold Feet was originally a supporting role - believe it or not - in the pilot episode o but was later expanded when a series was commissioned in 1998. In 1999 she won Best TV Comedy Actress at the British Comedy Awards for her wonderful role. She stayed with the show for three full series before leaving to take more varied roles and spend time with her family. She returned for a guest appearance in the fifth series and joined the cast for the revival of the show in 2016 and 2017.
Her most recent and touching storyline was when Jenny got diagnosed with cancer and the heartbreaking battle against the devastating disease. It saw Fay's character lose her hair in emotional scenes which prompted many cancer sufferers to reach out to Fay and praise her for her acting skills and for shining a light on what life with cancer is like.
Fay Ripley movies and TV shows
After leaving Cold Feet, Fay took on a succession of leading roles in comedies and dramas including Green-Eyed Monster, I Saw You, The Stretford Wives, and Dead Gorgeous.
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. She then returned to television in 2009, 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.
Faye was a team captain on Paul Sinha's TV Showdownon ITV in which familiar faces from the world of television do battle. The two teams test their knowledge of what's on the box. Faye is set to return for series two of the television trivia quiz alongside comedian Rob Beckett.
Who is Fay Ripley's husband?
Fay is married to the Australian actor Daniel Lapaine. The pair married in Tuscany, Italy in October 2001.
Does Fay have children?
Faye shares a daughter Parker, and a son Sonny with Daniel. Talking about lockdown with her children to The Express, she said: "I've had that fear of the empty nest, because my kids soon won't be here. Now I'm the Wicked Witch of the West, cackling: 'Ha ha! You're going nowhere!' They're locked into Mummy Hell."
She did however admit that Parker and Sonny have refused to help with the housework:
"My friends are telling me they're doing proper rotas and their kids are hoovering. When I try asking my kids, the screams, the shouting and sometimes the tears when asked to do said thing means it's so not worth it.
"I try, and then I cave in. Also, I'm a control freak and they're bad at the hoovering, so I'm thinking I'll have to do it again anyway."
Fay Ripley cookbooks
As well as being a busy actress, Fay has also been a cookery writer since 2009. She has since authored three delicious books.
She told Yours: "I'm so proud of my books - they're a bit like children to me.
"When I wrote the first book in 2009, I genuinely felt there was a gap in the market for an honest, realistic family cookbook. A book that talked about burning pans and not having enough time and yet being able to make a delicious family meal in 20 minutes.
"Food is such a pleasure in my life that when I see people who don't enjoy food or cooking, I feel they're missing out and I can definitely help with that! I'm completely self-taught and have discovered how to cook by making mistakes."
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Shop Fay Ripley cookbooks
1 of 3Fay's Family Food
Follow the simple steps from Faye Ripley's first cookbook. It details how you can make quick, simple and tasty food for the whole family. Recipes include delicious dishes like creamy chicken and ham pie. A reviewer said, "Lots of really accessible recipes, easy for the less experienced cook and really tasty for anyone!"
2 of 3What's for Dinner?
Do you more inspiration for your evening dinners? This family friendly recipe book gives you 100 of Fay's favourite meals, which she has tried and tested. A reviewer said, "After the first book, I have been patiently waiting for another one and I was not disappointed. The great thing about Fay is that all her recipes work. You only need a basic skill level (can you chop stuff and mix it?) and you can get great results. Her puddings are to die for. But the simplicity of the mains means you can cook a good meal in no time and feel virtuous for the rest of the night!"
3 of 3Fay Makes it Easy
Want to show off your cooking skills? This book is filled with easy step-by-step instructions on how to make food packed with flavour. A reviewer said, "Brilliant, brilliant book. I have quite a number of recipe books but these are the ones I know I can pick up and find a recipe that will be easy, inexpensive and delicious. In fact, I haven't cooked a recipe we haven't all enjoyed yet - and there's 4 generations in our house!"
Fay Ripley's charity work
Fay is an advocate for several good causes including Women's Aid and ActionAid. In October 2008 she went to Tanzania to raise awareness of child sponsorship.
Is Fay on social media?
She is! You can follow Faye on Twitter here and Instagram here where she shares lots of lovely recipes and snippets of her life.
Re-watch Cold Feet now
Shop Cold Feet
![Cold Feet Series 1-9 [DVD]](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5e87/482f/a2a6/087d/e3e6/3cc8/Cold_Feet_Series_1-9_[DVD]%20.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
1 of 1Cold Feet Series 1-9 [DVD]
Watch all your favourite episodes from series one to nine.
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