Actor Peter Heppelthwaite, best known for his role as Jed in the Only Fools And Horses spin-off The Green Green Grass, has died at the age of 59, his management has announced.
Heppelthwaite appeared in the BBC sitcom alongside stars Sue Holderness and John Challis as a recurring character across 30 episodes. He was also recognisable for his role as Linal in BBC soap EastEnders and for his appearance in Steven Moffat's sitcom Coupling in the early 2000s.
Heartbreaking News Confirmed
The news of his death was confirmed in a post to Instagram by Apollo Artist Management on Sunday. The statement praised Heppelthwaite as a "hugely gifted actor, director, teacher and mentor, with a warmth and generosity that reached far beyond the work itself."
It continued: "He brought humour, heart and complete commitment to everything he did, and he had that rare ability to make people feel seen, supported and better for having known him. His career took him across television, theatre and film, but his impact was much bigger than a list of credits. Peter gave so much to other performers, especially young actors finding their confidence and their voice. He cared deeply, worked tirelessly, and left a mark on everyone lucky enough to cross his path. We feel incredibly proud to have represented him."
Family Tribute
His daughter Georgia Hewer-Heppelthwaite shared a carousel of family photos on Instagram as she mourned her "epic dad", who "passed away peacefully yesterday holding our hands." The musician, who performs as Georgia Nevada, wrote: "Everyone who knows dad will know that this is a man who never gave up, loved deeply, and was just unafraid of doing absolutely everything to the fullest. His life was shortened but immensely full of love, passion and determination that we will carry with us always. We're still in shock, so please understand if we feel too overwhelmed to respond to anything right now, but please don't feel sorry for our loss. We are beyond lucky to have had Peter Heppelthwaite as our dad."
Career Highlights
Heppelthwaite appeared in numerous shows during his decades-long career, including BBC sitcoms 2point4 Children, One Foot In The Grave, In Sickness And In Health, and ITV drama London's Burning. He also featured alongside stars such as Martin Clunes in the 1990s TV movie Sex 'N' Death and had many theatre roles in West End shows, including Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard.
The father-of-three co-founded and owned the Limitless Academy Of Performing Arts in Royston, having pivoted towards directing, teaching and mentorship later in his career. The drama school posted to Instagram on Sunday, praising Heppelthwaite for helping to "create a truly special community" where he "inspired countless students to grow in confidence, creativity, and self-expression." It added: "Peter was more than a founder; he was a mentor, supporter, and friend to so many. His impact on the lives of our students, staff, and families will be felt for many years to come."
