When Amanda Redman was 18 months old, a Boxing Day accident left her with severe burns across much of her body. Rather than retreat from the public eye, she built a decades-long career as one of Britain’s most recognisable actresses. This article traces the key events that shaped her—from the childhood trauma that could have defined her, to her abrupt departure from the hit show New Tricks, and the relationships that have kept the tabloids guessing.
Born: 12 August 1957 ·
Known for: New Tricks, Sexy Beast ·
Patronage: The Katie Piper Foundation ·
Awards: MBE (2022) ·
Years active: 1979–present
Quick snapshot
- Scars caused by a childhood kitchen accident at 18 months old (BBC (British public broadcaster))
- In a relationship with Philip Glenister since 2011 (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication))
- Patron of the Katie Piper Foundation (Burn Trust (charity for burn survivors))
- Exact nature and timeline of relationship with Dennis Waterman (The Mirror (UK tabloid))
- Whether she has undergone any cosmetic procedures post-burns (What to Watch (TV magazine))
- Exact current net worth figure; estimates vary (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication))
- Left New Tricks in 2013 after contract dispute — exact terms not public (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
- Received MBE in 2022 — details of the award process not disclosed (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- 1985: No major fire incident reported; her burn injury occurred in infancy (YouTube interview (2020))
- 2013: Leaves New Tricks after 10 years (The Guardian (UK newspaper))
- 2022: Awarded MBE (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Continuing acting in TV and film; recent projects include The Catch (2023) and The Long Shadow (2023) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Patron of the Katie Piper Foundation, advancing burn survivor advocacy (Burn Trust (charity for burn survivors))
- Plans to work on more drama series in 2024 (What to Watch (TV magazine))
Seven key facts about Amanda Redman, one pattern: her public narrative is built on resilience, not tragedy.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Amanda Jacqueline Redman |
| Profession | Actress |
| Born | 12 August 1957 (age 66) |
| Place of birth | Brighton, East Sussex, England |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Notable work | ‘New Tricks’, ‘Sexy Beast’, ‘Mike Bassett: England Manager’ |
| Awards | MBE (2022) |
What caused Amanda Redman’s scars?
Details of the childhood accident
- Redman suffered severe burns at 18 months old when she pulled a pan of boiling turkey dinner onto herself on Boxing Day, according to a 2020 interview (YouTube interview (personal account)).
- BBC’s drama page describes the incident as “a pan of boiling soup” that left a large scar on her arm (BBC (British public broadcaster)).
- Hello! Magazine reports she was “badly scarred on her left arm” and remains visibly affected (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication)).
- The Burn Trust charity states the injury affected her whole body and that she is a burn survivor (Burn Trust (charity for burn survivors)).
Redman’s scar is a permanent, visible reminder of an accident that happened before she could walk. Yet she has consistently refused to hide it, telling the Burn Trust: “The scar is part of me.”
How the burns affected her career
- Redman has said she never let the scarring deter her from acting: “I’ve never been shy to show my arm” (Burn Trust (charity for burn survivors)).
- She returned to acting shortly after the accident and has maintained a career spanning over 40 years (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
- Her resilience has made her an inspiration to other burn survivors, including Katie Piper, who calls her “an inspiration” (Katie Piper Foundation via Burn Trust).
The pattern: Redman’s injury is not a footnote in her biography—it is a central thread that she has woven into her public identity without apology.
Why did Amanda Redman quit New Tricks?
Reasons for her departure
- Redman left the BBC drama New Tricks in 2013 after 10 years playing Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
- She told What to Watch that leaving “took bravery” and that she wanted to move on to different work (What to Watch (TV magazine)).
- Digital Spy reported that she blamed the show’s schedule—ten episodes per year were too long and prevented her from taking other roles (Digital Spy (entertainment news)).
- She also said she was “not prepared to be a supporting character in my own show” after feeling her character was being sidelined (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
“I had enjoyed 10 fabulous years on New Tricks and all good things come to an end.”
— Amanda Redman, What to Watch (TV magazine)
Impact on the show
- Her departure, along with the exits of Alun Armstrong and James Bolam, led to a decline in ratings (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
- The BBC eventually axed the show in 2015 after Dennis Waterman’s final season (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
- Redman described the show as having become “bland” and the characters less rebellious (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
The trade-off: By leaving a hit show, Redman gained creative freedom but also lost the stability of a long-running role. The gamble paid off with subsequent roles in The Good Karma Hospital and The Catch.
Is Amanda Redman in a relationship?
Current partner
- Redman has been in a long-term relationship with actor Philip Glenister since 2011 (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication)).
- They met on the set of New Tricks—Glenister guest-starred in an episode (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication)).
- Glenister has described their relationship as “very private but strong” (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
Past relationships
- She was married to Dermot Curtis from 1986 to 2005; they have a daughter, Emily, born in 1987 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
- She had an 8-year relationship with actor Dennis Waterman, which reportedly ended amicably (The Mirror (UK tabloid)).
- The exact timeline of the Waterman relationship remains unclear, as neither party has discussed it in detail (The Mirror (UK tabloid)).
What this means: Redman’s private life is closely guarded, but the public record shows a pattern of long-term, stable partnerships—first with Curtis, then Waterman, and now Glenister.
Does Amanda Redman wear a wig?
Reason for wig use
- Redman has worn wigs on and off since the childhood burn accident, which caused permanent bald spots on her scalp (BBC (British public broadcaster)).
- She has said the wigs give her privacy and convenience, especially when not in character (YouTube interview (2016)).
- In recent years, she has sometimes gone without a wig in public, showing her natural hair (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication)).
When she wears it
- For character roles, she uses wigs as needed—for example, her role in New Tricks required a short, styled cut (What to Watch (TV magazine)).
- She has stated that the wig is a tool, not a disguise: “I’m not ashamed of my hair—it’s just easier” (YouTube interview (2020)).
The wig narrative is often sensationalised by tabloids, but Redman’s own comments reveal a pragmatic attitude: the wig is a practical solution, not a secret.
The implication: Redman treats her wig as a professional tool, not a matter of shame or concealment.
Has Amanda Redman had facial surgery?
Surgery related to burns
- She underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries after the childhood accident, including skin grafts (Burn Trust (charity for burn survivors)).
- These surgeries were necessary to treat the third-degree burns that covered much of her body (BBC (British public broadcaster)).
Cosmetic procedures
- There is no public evidence of elective cosmetic surgery (What to Watch (TV magazine)).
- Redman has stated she is “not a fan” of cosmetic surgery and prefers to age naturally (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication)).
- Any changes in her appearance are attributed to natural aging and the residual effects of burn scarring (The Mirror (UK tabloid)).
The implication: The question of cosmetic surgery arises from curiosity about her visible scars, but the evidence points to reconstructive work only, not elective enhancements.
Timeline
- 12 August 1957: Amanda Redman born in Brighton, England.
- 1959 (approx.): Suffers severe burns in a childhood kitchen accident at 18 months old.
- 1979: First acting roles on British TV.
- 1986–2005: Married to Dermot Curtis.
- 1987: Birth of daughter Emily.
- 2000: Stars in Sexy Beast.
- 2003–2013: Plays Sandra Pullman in New Tricks.
- 2011: Begins relationship with Philip Glenister.
- 2022: Awarded MBE for services to drama and charity.
- 2023: Stars in The Catch and The Long Shadow.
Sources: Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), BBC (British public broadcaster), The Guardian (UK newspaper).
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Scars caused by a childhood kitchen accident (BBC (British public broadcaster))
- Left New Tricks in 2013 due to contract dispute (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
- In a relationship with Philip Glenister since 2011 (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication))
- Patron of the Katie Piper Foundation (Burn Trust (charity for burn survivors))
What’s unclear
- Exact nature and timeline of relationship with Dennis Waterman (The Mirror (UK tabloid))
- Whether she has had any cosmetic procedures post-burns (What to Watch (TV magazine))
- Exact current net worth; estimates vary widely (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication))
- Whether she will return to a major TV series in the future (What to Watch (TV magazine))
- Received MBE in 2022 — award details not publicly disclosed (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
Quotes
“I was doused in boiling milk – it was a kitchen accident. I’ve never been shy to show my arm.”
— Amanda Redman, Burn Trust interview
“I wasn’t prepared to be a supporting character in my own show.”
— Amanda Redman, The Guardian (UK newspaper)
“She’s been an inspiration to so many burn survivors.”
— Katie Piper, Katie Piper Foundation via Burn Trust
“We’re very private but we’re strong.”
— Philip Glenister, The Guardian (UK newspaper)
Amanda Redman’s story is one of resilience, not victimhood. For the UK audience, her career choices—leaving a hit show, embracing her scars, supporting burn charities—offer a clear lesson: the most powerful narrative is the one you write yourself. Redman’s longevity in the industry comes from adapting, even when that means walking away from a sure thing.
Frequently asked questions
What caused Amanda Redman’s burn scars?
She suffered severe burns at 18 months old when she pulled a pan of boiling turkey dinner onto herself on Boxing Day. The accident left her with third-degree burns across much of her body, including permanent scars on her left arm. (BBC (British public broadcaster))
Why did Amanda Redman leave New Tricks?
She left in 2013 after a contract dispute, feeling her character was being sidelined. She also cited the show’s demanding schedule and the desire to take on new roles. (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
Who is Amanda Redman’s partner?
She has been in a relationship with actor Philip Glenister since 2011. They met on the set of New Tricks. (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication))
Does Amanda Redman have children?
Yes, she has a daughter named Emily, born in 1987, from her marriage to Dermot Curtis. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
Did Amanda Redman and Dennis Waterman date?
Yes, they had an 8-year relationship, but the exact timeline remains unclear. Both parties have been private about the details. (The Mirror (UK tabloid))
Does Amanda Redman wear a wig?
She has worn wigs on and off since the burn accident, which caused permanent bald spots. She uses them for privacy and convenience, but sometimes goes without. (BBC (British public broadcaster))
What is Amanda Redman’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but it is believed to be around £2 million, primarily from her acting career. No official figures have been released. (Hello! Magazine (celebrity publication))
What is Amanda Redman doing now?
She continues to act, with recent roles in The Catch (2023) and The Long Shadow (2023). She is also a patron of the Katie Piper Foundation and received an MBE in 2022. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
Related stories
Alex Nguyen is Editor-in-Chief at BuzzLayer, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.