Few actors can claim a career that stretches from the 1940s into their 90s, but Melvyn Hayes has done exactly that. Born in London on 11 January 1935, he became a household name playing Gunner ‘Gloria’ Beaumont in the BBC sitcom It Ain’t Half Hot Mum (1974–1981). This article pieces together his seven-decade journey, his three marriages, his children, his later years, and the questions that still surround his personal life.
Born: 11 January 1935 (age 90) ·
Birth name: Melvyn Hyams ·
Occupation: Actor, voice‑over performer ·
Years active: 1947–present (over 75 years) ·
Known for: Gunner ‘Gloria’ Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum ·
Number of marriages: 3
Quick snapshot
- Born 11 January 1935 in London (Wikipedia)
- Married three times, currently to Jayne Male since 2010 (IMDb)
- Played Gunner Gloria Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum (The Guardian)
- Exact number of children – sources range from 3 to 6 (Famous Birthdays)
- Net worth – no verified figure from a credible source (Famous Birthdays)
- Details of pub ownership and location (Famous Birthdays)
- 1947–1950s – Began as child actor (MelvynHayes.com (official site))
- 1957 – Featured in The Curse of Frankenstein (IMDb)
- 1974–1981 – Lead role in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum (The Guardian)
- 2024 – Published memoir after 75 years in show business (MelvynHayes.com)
- Still active – occasional public appearances and interviews
- Memoir currently available – may lead to further media projects
Seven key facts at a glance show the core biographical details that are consistently reported across public records.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Melvyn Hayes (born Melvyn Hyams) |
| Date of birth | 11 January 1935 |
| Place of birth | London, England, UK |
| Years active | 1947–present |
| Marriages | 3 |
| Children | At least 3 (exact number unconfirmed) |
| Notable role | Gunner ‘Gloria’ Beaumont |
How many times has Melvyn Hayes been married?
Melvyn Hayes has been married three times, a fact confirmed by both his official website and his IMDb profile. The pattern of his marriages reveals a personal life that has seen both stability and loss.
Who were Melvyn Hayes’ wives?
- Rosalind Allan – first wife; marriage ended in divorce.
- Wendy Padbury – second wife; also an actress, best known for her role in Doctor Who.
- Jayne Male – third wife; married since 2010. She is not a public figure.
According to IMDb (actor biography page), he has been married to Jayne Male since 2010 and has one child with her. His previous marriages to Rosalind Allan and Wendy Padbury ended in divorce. The trade-off: three marriages over several decades, but the reasons for the earlier divorces remain private.
Each wife marks a distinct phase of his life: Rosalind Allan during his early film career, Wendy Padbury during his sitcom fame, and Jayne Male in his later, quieter years. The shifts reflect a man whose personal relationships evolved alongside a very public profession.
How many children does Melvyn Hayes have?
The exact number of Melvyn Hayes’ children is not consistently reported. Famous Birthdays (celebrity database) states he has six children, a figure echoed by elCinema (entertainment database). However, IMDb only records one child from his third marriage, and the official MelvynHayes.com does not list his children. The uncertainty means we can only say with confidence that he has at least three children.
Are all his children from the same marriage?
According to the sources that mention six children, they appear to come from different marriages. IMDb specifically notes that his child with Jayne Male is from his current marriage, while older children were likely with earlier wives. Without a full public family tree, the details remain unclear.
What happened to Melvyn Hayes’ wife?
One of Melvyn Hayes’ wives has died, but which one and the circumstances are not widely reported. The Mirror (tabloid newspaper) reported that he outlived one wife, but no obituary or news article specifies her name, year of death, or cause. This lack of information makes it a sensitive, private matter.
When did Melvyn Hayes’ wife die?
No credible source provides a date. The Guardian (UK newspaper) profile from 2024 mentions that his wife “passed away some time ago” but does not give specifics. The implication: the actor has chosen to keep this part of his personal history out of the public eye, and we should respect that.
Grief is a private experience, and the absence of public details is itself a signal that Melvyn Hayes values his privacy. For journalists, this is a case where a known fact (a wife died) cannot be fully documented, and speculation would be inappropriate.
Did Melvyn Hayes own a pub?
According to long‑tail search data, many people ask whether Melvyn Hayes owned a pub. The answer appears to be yes, but the details are thin. An interview quoted on The Mirror (UK tabloid) indicates that after It Ain’t Half Hot Mum ended, he ran a pub for a period. However, the exact name, location, and years of ownership are not recorded in any reliable archive.
What was the name of Melvyn Hayes’ pub?
No verifiable source names the pub. The claim comes from secondary mentions rather than primary business records. The catch: without a registered pub name or address, this part of his biography remains in the “unconfirmed” column.
Where is Melvyn Hayes now?
Melvyn Hayes is still alive as of 2025 and living in England. His official website is active and announces his memoir, published in 2024, which covers 75 years in show business. He continues to make occasional public appearances, including interviews with The Guardian and local press.
Is Melvyn Hayes still alive?
Yes. Multiple sources confirm he is alive as of early 2025. Wikipedia lists his age as 90 as of 2025, and the official site shows recent updates. His health status is not publicly detailed, but he is well enough to have published a book and given interviews.
Melvyn Hayes remains a living link to British television history. Any documentary or retrospective about 1970s sitcoms is likely to include him. For fans, his memoir is the most direct way to hear his own voice about his career and life.
Timeline
- 11 January 1935 – Born in London as Melvyn Hyams (Wikipedia)
- Late 1940s – Began acting as a child performer (MelvynHayes.com)
- 1957 – Appeared in The Curse of Frankenstein (IMDb)
- 1974–1981 – Played Gunner ‘Gloria’ Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum (The Guardian)
- 2024 – Published memoir after 75 years in show business (MelvynHayes.com)
Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Born 11 January 1935 in London
- Has been married three times
- Known for It Ain’t Half Hot Mum
- Still alive as of 2025
- Published a memoir in 2024
What’s unclear
- Exact number of children
- Names of all children
- Current net worth
- Details of pub ownership
- Which wife died and when
Quotes & perspectives
“I’ve been in the business over 75 years, and I still love it. Writing my memoir was a way to put it all down before I forget the details.”
Melvyn Hayes, on his memoir announcement, MelvynHayes.com (official site)
“He is one of those actors who, by playing a camp comedic role, created a character that has outlived the show itself.”
The Guardian, profile on Hayes, The Guardian (UK newspaper)
Melvyn Hayes’ career is a textbook example of British entertainment versatility: from 1950s horror to beloved sitcom, and now a memoir at 90. The pattern is clear – he has remained a working actor for over 75 years, even as most of his contemporaries retired. For someone interested in longevity in show business, his story is a masterclass in adapting without abandoning your roots.
imdb.com, melvynhayes.com, carryon.fandom.com, tvtropes.org, express.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
Is Melvyn Hayes still alive?
Yes, as of 2025 he is 90 years old and living in England. His official website and recent interviews confirm this.
What is Melvyn Hayes best known for?
He is best known for playing Gunner ‘Gloria’ Beaumont in the BBC sitcom It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, which aired from 1974 to 1981.
Did Melvyn Hayes win any awards?
He has not won major national awards, but his career longevity and iconic role have earned him enduring recognition from fans and peers.
What is Melvyn Hayes’ real name?
His birth name is Melvyn Hyams. He changed it to Melvyn Hayes early in his acting career.
How old is Melvyn Hayes?
He was born 11 January 1935, making him 90 years old as of 2025.
Did Melvyn Hayes write a book?
Yes, he published his memoir in 2024, covering his 75-year career in show business.
Is Melvyn Hayes on social media?
He does not maintain any verified public social media accounts. His official website is the primary source of news about him.
Related stories
Alex Nguyen is Editor-in-Chief at BuzzLayer, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.