Fay Ripley (born 26 February 1966) is an English actress and recipe author. Born in
Wimbledon, London, Ripley is a graduate of the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1990). Her first professional role was in the chorus of a pantomime version of
Around the World in 80 Days. Ripley's early film and television appearances were limited, so she supplemented her earnings by working as a children's entertainer and by selling menswear door-to-door. After her scenes as a prostitute were cut from
Frankenstein (1994), Ripley gained her first major film role playing Karen Hughes in
Mute Witness (1995).
In 1996, Ripley was cast in her breakthrough role of Jenny Gifford in the
ITV series
Cold Feet. Initially a supporting role in the
pilot episode, Ripley's character was expanded when a series was commissioned in 1998. She stayed with the show for three full series before leaving to take more varied roles and to spend more time with her family. She returned for a guest appearance in the fifth series. After leaving
Cold Feet, Ripley played a succession of leading roles in comedies and dramas including
Green-Eyed Monster (2001),
I Saw You (2002),
The Stretford Wives (2002), and
Dead Gorgeous (2002). Each role won her critical acclaim. In 2006, she filmed a leading role in the ITV drama
Bon Voyage, before taking time away from acting after the birth of her second child. Ripley returned to television in 2009, starring as human resources manager Christine Frances in the ITV comedy drama
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