A BBC star who rose to fame in the 60s and dated Sarah Alexander has died aged 96.
Gerald Harper, who made his name on British TV, sadly passed away on Wednesday, his agent confirmed.
Gerald Harper as Stephen Ashley in ‘Crown Court’ in 1979[/caption]
Gerald Harper in the ‘Murder by Misadventure’ Play performed in the Vaudeville Theatre in 1991[/caption]
Harper in the 2000s[/caption]
CDM Talent Agency posted on social media: “It is with great sadness that Gerald Harper has recently passed away – he was a valued client before he went to Spain to enjoy his retirement.”
It is unclear where the actor died or his cause of death.
Gerald is best known for starring as the lead role in the adventure drama Adam Adamant Lives! and then as the main character in Hadleigh.
Gerald then went on to forge an illustrious career on the stage, featuring in various West End shows, including Crucifer of Blood and A Personal Affair at the Haymarket Theatre.
He will also be remembered for his relationship with Coupling and Green Wing star Sarah Alexander.
Sarah, 54, was only 25 when she was first spotted dating Gerald Harper, then 68, in 1996.
A passer-by told the Sunday People of Alexander and Harper: “They were super-glued together! They were all over each other and didn’t care who saw them.
“Funnily enough, the young lady was making a lot of the running and kept grabbing him to French kiss him – it was quite a display.”
Friends said Harper was “absolutely bereft” when Sarah left him for Amandaland star Peter Serafinowicz in 2002.
Before his relationship with Sarah, Gerald was married to Carla Rabaiotti, a former Pan American air stewardess.
The pair, who later divorced in 1983, share a son.
Harper was previously married to actress Jane Downs from 1957 until they divorced in 1975. They share a daughter.
At the height of his fame Harper was TV’s most eligible bachelor in ITV’s Hadleigh, which ran from 1969 to 1976.
