Fay Ripley: 'According to my bridesmaids, I have ankles like French baguettes'
Surrey-born Fay Ripley, 56, worked as a clown while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1996, she was cast as Jenny in the Bafta and British Comedy award-winning ITV drama Cold Feet, which ran for nine series between 1997 and 2020. Her other television work includes the film Green-Eyed Monster, comedy series Monday Monday, the resurrected Reggie Perrin and crime drama Suspects. From November 30, she will play Kerry Jackson at the National Theatre. She lives in London with her husband, actor Daniel Lapaine, and their two children. She is the author of three cookbooks.
When were you happiest? When my kids had small teeth and curly hair and hadn't figured out the idea of wanting to leave home.
What is your biggest fear? The spiders, the needles, the blood, the pain and the wind surging in public.
What trait do you most lament about yourself? Pass judgment.
What trait do you most deplore in others? Passing judgment - how dare they!
What was your most embarrassing moment? See my biggest fear!
What would be your superpower? Online learning.
What don't you like the most about your appearance? According to my bridesmaids, I have ankles like French baguettes.
What did you want to be when you were growing up? Donny Osmond's wife. Always do it.
If you could bring something dead back to life, what would you choose? My father. There's a tough conversation that we couldn't finish.
Who would play you in the movie of your life? Me. Until I can't anymore. Then my daughter. Failing that, a hologram.
What scares you about getting old? My playlist makes only old people get up and dance.
What book are you ashamed you haven't read? All. Reading books is not a skill I have.
What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? My bridesmaid, on my wedding night: "You better keep being funny or he'll trade you. Twenty years later, I'm completely exhausted.
Would you choose fame or anonymity? My low level of notoriety is, for the most part, perfectly pleasant.
What do you owe your parents? I find people interesting; my mom passed it on to me.
What does love look like? Sponge Mary Berry victoria.
What was the best kiss of your life?Rupert Everett I was a guest at the premiere of his movie Another Country in 1984. I didn't wash my cheek for a month.
Which living person do you despise the most , and why?No one. Sounds exhausting.
When was the last time you changed your mind about something important? I said I would never do theater again. Oops.
How often do you have sex? My husband was away, so we are in catch-up mode. Well, he is.
What would you like to leave your children? Empathy.
Surrey-born Fay Ripley, 56, worked as a clown while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1996, she was cast as Jenny in the Bafta and British Comedy award-winning ITV drama Cold Feet, which ran for nine series between 1997 and 2020. Her other television work includes the film Green-Eyed Monster, comedy series Monday Monday, the resurrected Reggie Perrin and crime drama Suspects. From November 30, she will play Kerry Jackson at the National Theatre. She lives in London with her husband, actor Daniel Lapaine, and their two children. She is the author of three cookbooks.
When were you happiest? When my kids had small teeth and curly hair and hadn't figured out the idea of wanting to leave home.
What is your biggest fear? The spiders, the needles, the blood, the pain and the wind surging in public.
What trait do you most lament about yourself? Pass judgment.
What trait do you most deplore in others? Passing judgment - how dare they!
What was your most embarrassing moment? See my biggest fear!
What would be your superpower? Online learning.
What don't you like the most about your appearance? According to my bridesmaids, I have ankles like French baguettes.
What did you want to be when you were growing up? Donny Osmond's wife. Always do it.
If you could bring something dead back to life, what would you choose? My father. There's a tough conversation that we couldn't finish.
Who would play you in the movie of your life? Me. Until I can't anymore. Then my daughter. Failing that, a hologram.
What scares you about getting old? My playlist makes only old people get up and dance.
What book are you ashamed you haven't read? All. Reading books is not a skill I have.
What is the worst thing anyone has ever said to you? My bridesmaid, on my wedding night: "You better keep being funny or he'll trade you. Twenty years later, I'm completely exhausted.
Would you choose fame or anonymity? My low level of notoriety is, for the most part, perfectly pleasant.
What do you owe your parents? I find people interesting; my mom passed it on to me.
What does love look like? Sponge Mary Berry victoria.
What was the best kiss of your life?Rupert Everett I was a guest at the premiere of his movie Another Country in 1984. I didn't wash my cheek for a month.
Which living person do you despise the most , and why?No one. Sounds exhausting.
When was the last time you changed your mind about something important? I said I would never do theater again. Oops.
How often do you have sex? My husband was away, so we are in catch-up mode. Well, he is.
What would you like to leave your children? Empathy.
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