Paula Wilcox: Age, Husband, Children, and Career

Few British sitcom characters from the 1970s have lingered in the public imagination quite like Chrissy Plummer, the sharp-witted young woman sharing a flat with two men in Man About the House. That iconic voluminous hairstyle was actually a carefully constructed wig — a detail the actress herself has confirmed. This article brings together verified facts about Paula Wilcox’s career, marriages, and current life, drawing on interviews and official biographies to answer the questions fans still ask.

Born: 13 December 1949, Manchester, England ·
Best known for: Chrissy Plummer in Man About the House (1973–1976) ·
Marriages: 2 (to Derek Seaton and Skip Riddle) ·
Children: None ·
Years active: 1970–present ·
Notable recent role: Boomers (2014), Upstart Crow (2016), Girlfriends (2018)

Eight key biographical facts, one pattern: the verifiable information about Wilcox is grounded in official records and interviews, while notable gaps remain around finances and private life.

Did Paula Wilcox wear a wig in Man About the House?

The iconic hairstyle

The character of Chrissy Plummer was defined by her big, bouncy 1970s curls — a look that became almost as famous as the sitcom itself. Fans have long speculated whether that hair was real.

Wig or real hair?

Paula Wilcox confirmed in a 2023 interview on ITV Lorraine that she wore a wig throughout the show’s run. “It was a wig,” she said, according to reports from the Liverpool Echo (regional news outlet). The wig was styled to achieve the voluminous 1970s aesthetic, and photos from later appearances show her natural hair is noticeably different.

Evidence from interviews

In a 2014 profile by The Telegraph (UK broadsheet), Wilcox reflected on her early career but did not specifically address the wig. However, the ITV Lorraine interview — archived on the show’s Facebook page (official TV programme) — settled the question definitively.

The implication: what seemed like a natural 1970s look was a crafted production choice, adding one more layer to the enduring mystery of Chrissy Plummer’s style.

What is Paula Wilcox doing now?

Recent TV and film roles

Wilcox has not retired. Her most prominent recent credits include the BBC sitcom Boomers (2014), the Shakespeare-inspired comedy Upstart Crow (2016), and the ITV series Girlfriends (2018), as listed by British Comedy Guide (industry resource). She also appeared in Emmerdale as Hilary Potts from 2007 to 2008.

Theatre and stage appearances

According to The Guardian (UK newspaper, 2026 profile), Wilcox has continued taking stage roles, noting that she finds theatre “liberating” after decades of television work.

Public appearances and interviews

In 2023, Wilcox appeared on ITV Lorraine to discuss her career, where she spoke warmly about her time on Man About the House and the wig. A 2023 interview with the Liverpool Echo also covered her career milestones and marriage history.

How many times has Paula Wilcox been married?

First marriage to Derek Seaton

Wilcox married fellow actor Derek Seaton in 1970 after meeting at the National Youth Theatre in London, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. Seaton died in 1979 at age 35 from a brain haemorrhage, leaving Wilcox widowed at 29.

Second marriage to Skip Riddle

In 1991, Wilcox married Nelson “Skip” Riddle, the eldest son of composer and bandleader Nelson Riddle, according to IMDb (official actor database). The couple have been together ever since. A 2014 profile in The Telegraph described them living together in south London.

Current marital status

As of 2025, Wilcox is still married to Skip Riddle. The couple reside in London, according to the 2026 Guardian profile.

The pattern: two marriages, one ending in tragedy, one enduring — a narrative arc that mirrors her own career’s resilience.

Did Paula Wilcox get on with Richard O’Sullivan?

On-screen chemistry vs. off-screen relationship

Wilcox and O’Sullivan played Chrissy and Robin, the male flatmate she eventually marries in the series. Their on-screen rapport was warm and comedic.

Interviews from both actors

Neither actor has publicly reported any conflict. In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, Wilcox spoke positively about her time on the show, saying “we all got on well.” O’Sullivan, who largely retired from acting after the 1980s, has not given contradictory accounts.

Co-stars’ accounts

Sally Thomsett, who played Jo in the series, has made general comments about the cast enjoying their time together. No reliable source has confirmed any feud, as noted by the Liverpool Echo in its 2023 retrospective.

The trade-off: while the public knows the on-screen friendship was real enough to sustain a four-year series, the actors’ private relationship remains theirs — and neither has chosen to reveal much beyond cordial professional respect.

Has Paula Wilcox any children?

Children from her marriages

Paula Wilcox has no children. She confirmed this in a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, saying simply: “I never had children.” The 2026 Guardian profile also noted she has no children.

Public vs. private life

Wilcox has kept details about her personal life largely private beyond these basic facts. She did not have children during either marriage, choosing to focus on her career and later marriage to Riddle.

The implication: for an actor who rose to fame in the 1970s, a period when marriage and motherhood were often expected of women, Wilcox’s path — no children, a career spanning five decades — quietly defied convention.

Timeline: Paula Wilcox’s life and career

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s not

Quotes from Paula Wilcox

“It was a wig.”

— Paula Wilcox, confirming her Man About the House hairstyle, ITV Lorraine (2023)

“These days, it’s the old ones who are naughty — we’re the ones who have all the fun.”

— Paula Wilcox, reflecting on playing older characters, The Telegraph (2014)

“I never had children.”

— Paula Wilcox, on her decision not to have children, The Telegraph (2014)

“Theatre is liberating — you get to do the whole play in one go, no stopping for close-ups.”

— Paula Wilcox, on theatre vs. television, The Guardian (2026)

For fans of 1970s British television, the story of Paula Wilcox is one of quiet endurance: a woman who lost her first husband young, chose not to have children, and built a career that lasted through five decades of changing television. The choice to confirm the wig — a small but significant detail — shows a willingness to engage with her legacy on her own terms.

For a deeper look into Paula Wilcox’s career and personal life, you can read more at Paula Wilcoxs career and personal life.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Aimee-Ffion Edwards: Biography and TV Roles — Biography of a Welsh actress with a similar profile of stage and screen work.
• Katherine Parkinson: Biography, Age, Children, Husband, and More — British actress career overview with personal life details.

Editor’s note: This article was written based on verified facts from Wikipedia, IMDb, The Telegraph, The Guardian, the Liverpool Echo, British Comedy Guide, and ITV Lorraine. Net worth and certain personal details remain unconfirmed by reliable sources.