Inside the life of The Young Ones star Nigel Planer – from three marriages to becoming a grandfather at 30
NIGEL Planer has revealed all about his failed marriages – and becoming a grandfather at just 30.
Nigel, now 71, starred as Peace Studies student Neil Pye in The Young Ones, which centred around the fictional lives of four undergraduates.
The cast also included the late Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson and Christopher Ryan, and ran from 1982 to 1984 on the BBC.
He has gone on to have an incredible career both on screen and on stage, as well as being a successful author.
But his private life has proven to be just as colourful as some of his characters over the years.
Nigel is happily married to his third wife, Roberta Green, a therapist.
But he was just 25 when he first met her and became a stepdad to her children – who were 12 and 10 – before becoming a grandfather at 30.
In a recent interview with The Mirror, Nigel admitted he found it a “bit much” and they separated.
Nigel then married Anna Leigh who he was with from 1989 to 1995.
The couple had a son named Stanley, but they split up too.
When Anna remarried and moved countries with Stanley, Nigel only saw him during school holidays.
Nigel said: “It was the hardest time ever.”
In 1999, Nigel married actress Frankie Park, and they had a son Harvey, but they also divorced.
Nigel then reunited with Roberta and they married again in 2013.
He said: “We cannot believe our luck that it’s still working, it’s just amazing.”
He also said he is on good terms now with his ex-wives and his sons, Stanley, 36, and Harvey, 25,
Just back from a holiday with his step-grandchildren from his wife’s family, he said “The four grandsons are the same age as my son.
“It’s quite complicated. My younger son used to love saying, when he was about eight, to my granddaughter from my stepdaughter, ‘I’m your uncle.’ An eight-year-old uncle, and they were in their 20s!”
Nigel is currently touring the UK with Henry Normal, co-writer of The Royle Family and producer of Gavin & Stacey
Best 80s sitcoms
We take a look at some of the best sitcoms to air on TV in the 80s.
The Simpsons
This satirical depiction of life in the US was developed by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Sam Simon. It first launched in 1989 and has been going ever since as viewers tune in to see the antics of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and the rest of the Springfield residents. With over 35 series making it onto the television airwaves, it has become one of the most famous and long-running television shows in history.
Only Fools And Horses
Widely accepted as one of the best British sitcoms of all time, Only Fools and Horses has made viewers laugh for decades. Seven series of the show were made for the BBC One from 1981 for ten years. Set in working-class Peckham, it starred Sir David Jason in his most famous role as the infamous market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter. Nicholas Lyndhurst starred as his younger half-brother, Rodney Trotter. In 2004, it was voted as Britain’s Best Sitcom in a BBC poll.
Full House
The US sitcom Full House was created in 1987 with Bob Saget starring father-of-three Danny Tanner. After his wife died, he called in the help of his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier) to move in and help raise his young daughters, DJ (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen). After eight series, the show came to an end before Netflix revived the franchise for a spin-off, Fuller House.
Golden Girls
Seven series aired from 1985 until 1992. It followed Four women – who were previously married – moved in together in a shared apartment in Miami. Together, they faced various struggles and encounter comical situations in their daily lives. Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty starred in roles that short them to superstardom.
Cheers
1982 was the year that saw the inception of Cheers. An eclectic group of people from all different paths of life meet at a bar Cheers. The boston boozer sees the group share their experiences as they work and drank at the establishment. It starred the likes of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman. Huge names such as Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson and Kirstie Alley also starred in the hit series.
Growing Pains
Dr. Jason Seaver (Alan Thicke) is a psychiatrist who works from home so his wife, Maggie (Joanna Kerns), can resume her career as a journalist. They share three children, Mike (Kirk Cameron), Carol (Tracey Gold), and Ben (Jeremy Miller). This was before their precocious daughter Chrissy (Ashley Johnson) was born. The programme tackled topical issues such as drugs, suicide, peer pressure and alcohol.