ITV has always delivered the best detective shows on TV, and back in the 1990s, it had a major hit on its hands with Wycliffe. The series was based on W. J. Burley’s book series that focused on Detective Superintendent Charles Wycliffe.
Following a successful pilot episode, the series aired between 1993 and 1998, and it starred the likes of Jack Shepherd, Jimmy Yuill and Helen Masters. Joining the show in its third season was Lynn Farleigh, who played Helen Wycliffe, the wife of the titular character.
Away from the show, the actress has dated some of the UK’s biggest actors, and she has walked down the aisle on three separate occasions, including once with a James Bond star. Lynn is also a mother to two children, who she welcomed with former partner Keith Turner.
Scroll down for all you need to know about Lynn’s three marriages…
Michael Jayston
Lynn was first married to Only Fools and Horses actor Michael Jayston. The pair married in 1965, three decades before Michael appeared in the popular sitcom as Raquel’s father, James. The pair divorced in 1970, but both have remained tight-lipped about their five-year marriage.
Lynn and Michael managed to share the stage together back in 1967, with the couple both appearing in The Homecoming. Michael would also appear in the 1973 film based on the play, but Lynn didn’t reprise her role for the film.
Michael starred in several other hits, including the likes of Craze, Highlander III: The Final Dimension, Tales of the Unexpected, Foyle’s War and Emmerdale. The star managed to land one of his biggest roles in 1986 when he starred as the villainous Valeyard in Doctor Who alongside Colin Baker.
Following his divorce from Lynn, Michael married engraver Heather Sneddon before getting married again to Ann Smithson in 1979. The star welcomed five children, three with Heather and two with Ann.
Michael died at the age of 88 on 5 February 2024.
David Yip
© Alamy Stock PhotoLynn’s second marriage was to The Chinese Detective star David Yip. David made history when he starred in the BBC show as the first-ever Chinese lead star on British television. He and Lynn walked down the aisle in 1989, although their union also ended in divorce.
Alongside The Chinese Detective, David is best known for starring in Roger Moore’s final James Bond film, A View to a Kill. The actor played the ill-fated CIA agent Chuck Lee who was murdered by May Day.
David has also starred in Ping Pong, Brookside, Fortitude and Wolf King.
John Woodvine
© Alamy Stock PhotoLynn’s final marriage was to actor John Woodvine, with the pair marrying in 1996. The couple welcomed two children during their marriage, and they remained together until John died at the age of 96 on 6 October 2025.
Before meeting Lynn, John welcomed two daughters with actress Hazel Wright, including Mary Woodvine, who has since starred in Casualty, Poldark and Doc Martin.
Meanwhile, John has picked up credits in the likes of An American Werewolf in London, Danny, the Champion of the World and The Crown, where he played the Archbishop of York.
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