Only Fools And Horses actors Tessa Peake-Jones and Douglas Hodge split up after 27 years together

Holby City and Only Fools And Horses actress Tessa Peake-Jones has separated from her actor partner Douglas Hodge after 27 years.

The pair, who have a son and a daughter, parted by "amicable agreement", a spokesman has confirmed.

Hodge is soon to be seen in Sam Mendes's forthcoming musical adaptation of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, playing Willy Wonka.

Peake-Jones is known to millions of viewers for her role as Raquel in long-running BBC1 sitcom Only Fools, the girlfriend of Del Boy. The 55-year-old is currently appearing in Holby City as hospital boss Imelda Cousins.

Hodge, 52, has been prominent mainly on stage, winning Olivier and Tony Awards, but has appeared in TV shows such as Red Caps, Spooks and the ITV adaptation of Mansfield Park. He also played Raquel's son Damien Trotter in an episode of Only Fools And Horses.

A spokesman for the pair 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."

Mendes's production of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is to be given its world premiere at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on June 25.

PA