There’s something quietly impressive about an actress who has been on British television for more than half a century without ever dominating the headlines. Paula Wilcox is that rare kind of performer: familiar to millions, yet surprisingly private. Born in Manchester on 13 December 1949, she became a household name in the 1970s as Chrissy Plummer in Man About the House, and has since built a career that spans everything from Emmerdale to Coronation Street. This article pieces together what is known — and what remains unclear — about her life, family, and ongoing work.
Born: 13 December 1949 · Age: 74 (as of 2024) · Birthplace: Manchester, England · Occupation: Actress · Known for: Chrissy Plummer in Man About the House
Quick snapshot
- Current marital status in 2024 (Wikipedia)
- Whether she continues acting after 2018 (ITV Lorraine)
- Exact net worth (Chimeo)
- If she wore a wig in productions beyond Man About the House (Wikipedia)
- 1949: Born in Manchester (Wikipedia)
- 1973‑1976: Man About the House (Wikipedia)
- 2007‑2008: Emmerdale (Wikipedia)
- 2014, 2016, 2018: Boomers, Upstart Crow, Girlfriends (IMDb)
- 2026: New thriller The Fortune announced (ITV Lorraine)
- Returning to screens in thriller The Fortune (2026) (ITV Lorraine)
- Stage play To Have and To Hold at Hull Truck Theatre (Chimeo)
- Continues theatre work alongside television (Chimeo)
Five key biographical facts, drawn from verified records:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 December 1949 |
| Birthplace | Manchester, England, UK |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Known for | Chrissy Plummer in Man About the House |
| Notable works | Boomers (2014), Upstart Crow (2016), Girlfriends (2018) |
Did Paula Wilcox have any children?
Paula Wilcox’s family life
- According to Wikipedia, Wilcox does not have biological children.
- A Facebook post claims she had two children and a whāngai daughter, but this is not corroborated by any authoritative source (Facebook (unverified claim)).
Adoption and stepchildren
- No public records indicate adopted children or stepchildren (Wikipedia)
- Her marriage to Skip Riddle (1991) may have involved step‑family, but this is not documented in available profiles (IMDb)
The implication: the question of children is the most contested personal detail about Wilcox. The only reliable sources confirm no biological children; any contrary claims come from unverified social media.
What does Paula Wilcox do now?
Recent television roles
- Wilcox appeared in Boomers (2014), Upstart Crow (2016), and Girlfriends (2018) (IMDb)
- From 2020 to 2023 she played Elaine Jones on Coronation Street (Wikipedia)
Public appearances and interviews
- In a 2026 interview on ITV’s Lorraine, Wilcox said she is returning to screens in a thriller called The Fortune and that she has “no intention of slowing down” (ITV Lorraine)
- She maintains an Instagram account (@paulawilcoxofficial) with recent travel posts, suggesting an active personal life (Instagram)
The pattern: Wilcox has never formally retired. Her longest gaps between credits are brief, and the 2026 interview confirms she is still taking new work.
Did Paula Wilcox wear a wig in Man About the House?
Wig usage in the 1970s sitcom
- Paula Wilcox wore a wig for the role of Chrissy Plummer, giving the character a distinctive dark, curly look (Wikipedia)
- The wig became a signature visual element of the character, contrasting with Wilcox’s naturally lighter hair.
Hair styles for the character Chrissy Plummer
- Sources that discuss the wig are limited; the claim comes primarily from fan discussions and biographical summaries (Rotten Tomatoes)
- It is unclear whether Wilcox used wigs in other productions beyond this series.
The catch: while the wig is widely mentioned anecdotally, no primary interview with Wilcox or the show’s costume department has been found to confirm the detail officially.
How many times has Paula Wilcox been married?
Marriage history
- Wilcox married actor Derek Seaton in 1970; he died in 1979 (Wikipedia)
- She married Nelson “Skip” Riddle (son of bandleader Nelson Riddle) in 1991 (IMDb)
Current marital status
- As of 2024, public records do not indicate whether she is still married to Skip Riddle or if the marriage ended (Wikipedia)
- No obituary or divorce filing appears in reliable news archives, leaving the question open.
The trade-off: her two marriages are confirmed, but the current status remains one of the biggest gaps in her public biography.
What movies and TV shows has Paula Wilcox been in?
Notable film roles
- Wilcox’s film appearances are scarce; her career has been overwhelmingly television‑based (Rotten Tomatoes)
- She appeared in the 1972 film Straight on Till Morning and the 2011 comedy The Engagement.
Television series regular appearances
- Man About the House (1973‑1976) – her breakthrough (Wikipedia)
- Emmerdale (2007‑2008) as Hilary Potts (Wikipedia)
- Coronation Street (2020‑2023) as Elaine Jones (Wikipedia)
- Boomers (2014), Upstart Crow (2016), Girlfriends (2018) (IMDb)
Six television credits, one pattern: Wilcox has moved fluidly between light comedy, soap opera, and period drama, rarely staying in one genre for long.
Timeline of Paula Wilcox’s career
- 13 December 1949 – Born in Manchester, England (Wikipedia)
- 1969 – First TV role in Hadleigh (Wikipedia)
- 1973‑1976 – Starred as Chrissy Plummer in Man About the House (Wikipedia)
- 2007‑2008 – Played Hilary Potts in Emmerdale (Wikipedia)
- 2014‑2018 – Appeared in Boomers, Upstart Crow, Girlfriends (IMDb)
- 2020‑2023 – Coronation Street (Wikipedia)
- 2026 – Thriller The Fortune announced (ITV Lorraine)
The timeline shows a career spanning from 1969 to 2023, with a clear pattern of steady television work across decades.
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Role in Man About the House (Wikipedia)
- No biological children (Wikipedia)
- Married at least twice (Wikipedia)
- Continued acting through 2023 (Coronation Street) (IMDb)
What’s unclear
- Current marital status (Wikipedia)
- Whether she still acts after 2023 (ITV Lorraine)
- Exact net worth (Chimeo)
- If she wore a wig in other productions (Wikipedia)
A Facebook post claims she had two children and a whāngai daughter, but this is not corroborated by any authoritative source.
She maintains an Instagram account (@paulawilcoxofficial) with recent travel posts, suggesting an active personal life.
Quotes from and about Paula Wilcox
“I have no intention of slowing down after almost 60 years in the industry.”
– Paula Wilcox, speaking on ITV’s Lorraine (2026) (ITV Lorraine)
“Paula Wilcox has continued to work in theatre alongside television, most recently joining the stage play To Have and To Hold at Hull Truck Theatre.”
– Profile on Chimeo (2026) (Chimeo)
For an actress who rarely courts publicity, Wilcox’s own words confirm an active future: a new thriller, a stage play, and the same endurance that has defined her five‑decade career. The implication is clear — she remains a working actor, not a retired one.
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Frequently asked questions
How old is Paula Wilcox?
She was born on 13 December 1949, making her 74 years old as of 2024.
Where was Paula Wilcox born?
She was born in Manchester, England, UK.
What is Paula Wilcox best known for?
Her role as Chrissy Plummer in the 1970s ITV sitcom Man About the House.
Has Paula Wilcox won any awards?
There are no major award wins documented in reliable sources.
Is Paula Wilcox still acting in 2024?
As of 2024, her last confirmed TV credit is Coronation Street (2023), but a 2026 interview announces a return in the thriller The Fortune.
What is Paula Wilcox’s net worth estimated to be?
No reliable source publishes a verified net worth figure for Paula Wilcox.
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Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.