Articles

George’s warmth was very apparent from my first meeting with him. He was the sort of person who would always be very welcoming. He was also a great reader and a very cultivated person, and he brought those qualities to the part.

—Ruth Rendell

2011

My View: "I keep being asked if there will be another series of Wexford. ITV wants more, but I have turned them down, at least for the time being."
George's charisma made Wexford: "George made Wexford. If some other actor had played the part and hadn't had George's charisma, Wexford would never have become as well known as he did."

2010

The People's Detective: Twelve celebrated fictional television detectives profiled in a six-part ITV3 series.

2009

Cash in the Celebrity Attic: Angela Rippon and the Cash in the Celebrity Attic team visit much-loved Inspector Wexford star George Baker in his beautiful country cottage.

2008

Wexford and Me: George Baker reveals his favourite Wexford titles in ten short films produced by Daisybeck Productions.
Profiling Ruth Rendell: A documentary series from Cactus TV featuring profiles of Britain's finest contemporary crime writers.
Drama Trails: A ten part ITV3 documentary series exploring connections between the UK's favourite TV dramas. In episode ten, Baroness Ruth Rendell takes George Baker on a guided tour of the House of Lords.
Christopher Ravenscroft at Theatre Royal Bath: "It is a treat to work with Peter Hall, a great theatre director of our age."

2006

Super Sleuths: A Documentary series produced by Free@LastTV. Features interviews with George Baker, Christopher Ravenscroft, Louie Ramsay, Mary McMurray, and Neil Zeiger.
Where Wexford Unwinds: A father of five daughters, Baker is married for the third time, to Louie Ramsay who plays on screen wife Dora Wexford.

2005

The Tempest: "This is a very rich, packed play that has so many themes. But it all comes down to facing our innermost selves and making choices. That is what Prospero has to do."
The House in the Woods: "George is a real pro. He plays identical twins. One has been in jail for a murder that his brother committed, and he wants revenge. But we didn't pay George twice!"
Wexford Wives: George Baker was once described by film director Tony Richardson as the worst actor in England.

2003

Coronation Street: Inspector Wexford star George Baker is joining Coronation Street temporarily.

2002

Unpaid Royalties: In 1992, TVS lost its ITV franchise and sadly, the rights to its programme library did not remain within the ITV Network.
Tiled Cottage: "My favourite home is the Thirties cottage that I rented while filming the Rendells."

2000

Wexford to hang up his trilby?: A Hampshire detective with a world-wide reputation for solving the grisliest of crimes could be on the brink of putting his ticket in.
Wexford Returns: George Baker returns to ITV as Detective Chief Inspector Reg Wexford.
I owe my life to Louie: For a man who has had harrowing surgery for cancer, TV star George Baker is looking remarkably well.
Harm Done in Production: "The story is really about abuse, not only the abuse of children but also the abuse of a wife by her husband, and the hurt causes to children and family."

1996

I Need a Wife to Look After: "An enormous number of women seem to love me as Inspector Wexford …"
Wexford returns in Simisola: George Baker returns to ITV in the role he made so popular with the dramatisation of Ruth Rendell's latest novel.
Having the Last Laugh: It was while Diane Keen was working on the Ruth Rendell Mysteries that she fell in love with her husband for the second time around.
I'm a bit of a fusspot myself: "My family say I get worse when I'm playing Burden."
Ace tec is back: The return of Reg Wexford after a three-year gap was always going to be special for George Baker.

1995

Little Lord Fauntleroy: Actor George Baker had to change his personality for his part in the BBC's new adaptation of Little Lord Fauntleroy.
Johnny and the Dead: "It's such a fun piece. It's got something for children of all ages. It tells a lovely story."

1994

How Wexford found the clues to true love again: This is for real, and it's a love story that took the show business world by complete surprise.

1993

Wexford's wedded bliss: TV detective George Baker made an arresting sight when he wed his Inspector Wexford wife in real life yesterday.

1992

Little things that remind me of you: Big George Baker will be smiling as he strides around his kitchen, wine glass to hand, putting the finishing touches to his Christmas lunch.
The Final Series: At Baker's side is Sarah, youngest of his five daughters and an assistant with the production team, who stands ready with a cup of tea.
Last chapter for Rendell's hero?: The end of the road is in sight for ruddy-faced detective Reg Wexford as he returns with four new Ruth Rendell Mysteries.
If only Grandma could be with us now: Wexford star George Baker travels to Australia to meet the grandson born days before his wife died.
Wexford's sidekick prepares to pack his bags: He began as Wexford's strait-laced sidekick; thin, angular Detective Inspector Mike Burden, old-fashioned, conservative and bashful.
The Four Oaks Mystery: Sherlock Holmes teams up with Van Der Valk, Taggart and Wexford for the 1992 ITV Telethon.

1991

Why George plans to say goodbye to Wexford: Since actor George Baker stepped into the sensible lace-up shoes of old-fashioned Det Ch Insp Wexford, he has won the hearts of many.
Rendell's Fair Cop: Sitting back, relaxing in his mobile dressing room, Christopher Ravenscroft looks uncharacteristically cheerful.

1987

A Man of many Talents: "I knew I had to play Wexford the minute I set eyes on the scripts."
Wolf in sheep's clothing: Murder, they cry but where is the body? It is a case to baffle Det Chief Insp Reg Wexford, hero of 13 novels by top woman crime writer Ruth Rendell.

1969

Candida Plays: A new national touring company has been formed by the actor George Baker.

1966

Never Dance Again: "I shall never forget the morning I woke to find tears running down my cheeks as though somebody had turned on a bath tap behind my eyes."