Tessa Peake-Jones is a British comedy icon thanks to her long-running role as Racquel Turner in the hit BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses.

The actress, 69, who played the love interest and future wife of Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter (played by David Jason) in the beloved series, has been a regular fixture on our TV screens since the show ended in 2003.

Modern audiences will recognise her for her roles in ITV's detective series Grantchester, Channel 5's The Feud, and Holby City. But how much do you know about her life away from the cameras? 

Keep reading to find out about Tessa's family life, including her 27-year romance with her on-screen son. 

For almost three decades, Tessa was in a relationship with Douglas Hodge, who played an adult version of her on-screen son. Douglas portrayed Damien Trotter in a single episode, titled Heroes and Villains, which aired in 1996. 

Douglas, 66, is perhaps best known for his roles in Robin Hood (2010), Penny Dreadful (2016), Catastrophe (2018), and both seasons of the BBC thriller, The Night Manager. 

The actors announced their split in 2013. At the time, a spokesperson said: "I'm able to confirm that Tessa and Douglas separated in the autumn of last year by mutual and amicable agreement and they will continue to raise their two children jointly."

Following their split, Douglas went on to marry American wigmaker Amanda Miller, whom he met while working in theatre. Tessa, who is extremely private, has refrained from commenting on her personal life. 

Tessa, who joined the show in 1988, previously said that the series is "best left alone". 

During an interview with the Express in March 2026, the actress described John Sullivan, who wrote the series and passed away in 2011, as "the genius behind the show."

"I don't think you could ever repeat that, and I hope they don't," she continued. "Some reboots, or when they've brought everyone back for a prequel, just haven't worked.

"I think leave it like that because it's a bit like a jewel – you don't want to fiddle about with it," added the TV star.