Actor Gary Wilmot has announced he is divorcing his third wife, Sara Hill, after 23 years of marriage. The 72-year-old entertainer has moved out of the marital home he shared with her and is now living on his own in a flat.
Speaking about the separation, Wilmot noted that "people change" and reflected on navigating a split later in life. "I'm getting a divorce - at 72. When I was a child, 60 was very old, but now it seems you can go on forever," he said. He added: "People live longer, your life goes through more phases, there seems to be more of us older ones getting divorces."
Marriage and Career
Wilmot and Hill first met when they appeared together in a production of Pirates of Penzance in 2000. Three years later, they married. While the couple were regularly seen together at West End parties in the past, as Wilmot spent much of his career in musical theatre, things changed as he got older.
"I don't do much of that any more," he told the Daily Mail. "The thing is, people change. She understands that, too. I'm in a different phase of life, and I feel 50. I live in a flat and am very happy living on my own." The actor stressed that "no one else is involved", and while divorces are always difficult, he thinks it is "the right thing" for both of them.
Family and Future Plans
Wilmot shares two daughters, Katie and Georgie, with his first wife, Carol. After that marriage ended, he married his second wife, Joanne, and then Sara. Despite the major personal transition, he stressed that he has no plans to slow down his career.
He recently performed in Cats at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, has appeared in TV dramas like Midsomer Murders, and is working on an RSC production of As You Like It alongside writing projects.
Views on Television Evolution
Earlier this year, Wilmot spoke candidly about the difficulties facing the constantly evolving television landscape as "woke" trigger warnings continue to be added to classic programmes. After securing a part in Death in Paradise, the actor was asked how television has transformed throughout his lengthy career.
"I suppose that TV is struggling a little bit," he replied. "Like more people watched YouTube last year than they did the BBC, so that's a bit terrible really." He added: "But it is evolution. I don't know if it's for the better or for the worse. There's a new norm for younger people coming and that's fine. Things do change, and it does make me feel a little uncomfortable but I'm not bitter about it. It's just evolution and it's just what happens."
