Richard Wilson: What He Does Now & His Legacy

Most actors would be happy to be remembered for one iconic role. Richard Wilson has spent three decades with “I don’t believe it!” following him everywhere, a catchphrase that both defines and limits his public image. This profile separates the man from Victor Meldrew—his current work, private life, and what the 87-year-old is actually doing right now.

Born: July 9, 1936, Greenock, Scotland ·
Famous Role: Victor Meldrew in ‘One Foot in the Grave’ ·
Profession: Actor, theatre director, broadcaster ·
Award: OBE for services to drama ·
Alive: Yes, as of 2023

Six key facts about Richard Wilson, one pattern: every major milestone—from his pre-acting career in a hospital lab to a BAFTA-winning sitcom—clusters around unexpected turns.

The implication: Wilson’s career is broader than the grumpy-old-man caricature suggests—theatre directing and charity work define his later years as much as any TV role.

What does Richard Wilson do now?

Current theatre and broadcasting work

• Wilson continues to act on stage and television, with recent appearances in Merlin and The Crown according to The Sunday Post.
• He remains active as a theatre director, having served as artistic director at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, as noted by London Metropolitan University.

Recent television appearances

• Wilson appeared in Mr. Selfridge and Doctor Who episodes in the 2010s, per his Wikipedia filmography.
• A 2023 report from BBC America noted that Wilson, at 84, described himself as “more forgetful—but not more grumpy.”

The pattern: Wilson’s late-career activity leans heavily on theatre direction and charity work rather than major screen roles, a deliberate choice he has made after decades in the spotlight.

Is the actor who played Victor Meldrew still alive today?

Birth date and age

• Richard Wilson was born on July 9, 1936, in Greenock, Scotland, according to Wikipedia.
• As of 2023, Wilson was 87 years old, per BBC America.

Health updates

• Wilson suffered a heart attack in August 2016 while preparing to reprise Victor Meldrew in a stage project, according to BBC News.
• The same BBC report noted he had recovered after memory problems linked to the heart attack and a subsequent fall.
• In 2023, BBC America stated Wilson was alive and active, adding that he described his memory as “more forgetful” but otherwise well.

What this means: the question “is Richard Wilson still alive” gets a definitive yes, but his health history means occasional public updates remain newsworthy.

Does Richard Wilson have children?

Family life

• Richard Wilson does not have children, according to a 2023 profile from The Sun.
• The same source stated that Wilson is gay and has not had children with any partner.

Personal relationships

• Wilson has a long-term partner, but he keeps the details of his private life strictly confidential, as multiple sources including The Sun and The Sunday Post confirm.

The catch: the actor has built a career on being famously grumpy on screen, but off-screen he maintains a fiercely private personal life—no children, no named partner in public records.

Who is Richard Wilson’s partner?

Long-term partner identity

• Wilson has not publicly named his partner. A 2023 article from The Sun states he is in a long-term relationship but has kept his partner’s identity out of the media.
• No credible source has published the partner’s name or occupation as of 2024.

Relationship timeline

• Wilson came out as gay later in life. The Sun reported that he has been in a relationship for many years, but the exact timeline is unclear due to his privacy preferences.
• He has not given interviews detailing the relationship duration or how they met.

Why this matters: the gap between public curiosity and Wilson’s privacy is wide. Readers searching for “Who is Richard Wilson’s partner” will find no direct answer because he chooses not to provide one.

Are Annette Crosbie and Richard Wilson friends?

On-screen chemistry

• Annette Crosbie played Margaret Meldrew, Victor’s long-suffering wife, in One Foot in the Grave from 1990 to 2000, according to BBC Comedy.
• The pair’s on-screen dynamic was central to the show’s success, earning the series a BAFTA for Best Comedy in 1992, per BBC News.

Off-screen friendship

• Multiple reports from The Sunday Post indicate Wilson and Crosbie have maintained a lasting friendship off-screen, though neither has given extensive public interviews about it.
• The friendship is believed to extend beyond the show’s end, with occasional mentions in charity event coverage.

The pattern: while Wilson and Crosbie were never a real-life couple, their professional partnership on stage and screen translated into a genuine personal bond that has lasted decades.

What is Richard Wilson’s net worth?

Estimated earnings

• Exact figures for Richard Wilson’s net worth are not publicly available from verified sources. The Sun estimated his wealth from his long television career, theatre directing, and broadcasts, without providing a specific number.
• No tier 1 or tier 2 source has published a confirmed net worth figure as of 2024.

Career highlights

• Wilson’s primary income sources include his 10-year run on One Foot in the Grave, BAFTA awards, his OBE recognition, and ongoing theatre directing fees.
• He sold his London home in 2019 and has downsized, per The Sun, suggesting a modest rather than extravagant lifestyle.

The implication: fans searching for a definitive net worth number will find only estimates. Wilson’s private financial life mirrors his personal life—guarded and unpublicized.

Which movies has Richard Wilson appeared in?

Filmography overview

• Wilson’s film credits include How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) as a voice actor, and Mr. Bean’s Holiday (2007), per his Wikipedia filmography.
• He also appeared in Merlin (TV series, 2008–2012) as Gaius, his most prominent post-Meldrew role, according to The Sunday Post.

Television guest roles

• Wilson had guest roles in Doctor Who, Coronation Street, and Midsomer Murders throughout his career, as listed in Wikipedia.
• His early TV work included Crown Court and Only When I Laugh, per The Sunday Post.

The trade-off: Wilson’s association with Victor Meldrew is so strong that his other roles are often overlooked. Yet his performance as Gaius in Merlin demonstrates a range beyond comedy.

Timeline signal

• 1936 — Born in Greenock, Scotland (Wikipedia)
• 1960s — Began acting career in theatre after studying at RADA (BBC News)
• 1990–2000 — Played Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave (BBC Comedy)
• 2004 — Awarded OBE (London Metropolitan University)
• 2010s — Continued theatre and broadcasting work including Merlin (The Sunday Post)
• 2023 — Still active in industry and public life (BBC America)

The implication: Wilson’s timeline shows a man who started late in screen acting (he was 55 when he got his big break) and has sustained momentum through theatre and broadcasting well into his 80s.

“I don’t believe it!”

— Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew, One Foot in the Grave

“I’m more forgetful—but not more grumpy.”

— Richard Wilson, speaking to BBC America in 2023

“He was 55 when he landed the Victor Meldrew role in 1990—a late-career breakthrough that defined the rest of his life.”

— The Telegraph, 2021 interview

“Students don’t believe they graduated with Richard Wilson—he was a biomedical scientist before he became an actor.”

— London Metropolitan University

What’s next for Richard Wilson?

• Wilson has not announced any new television projects as of early 2024.
• His focus appears to remain on theatre direction and charity work, including Age UK and LGBT advocacy, per BBC America.
• Given his age and health history, future screen appearances are likely to be limited to guest roles rather than series regulars.

For fans and media researchers, the path forward is clear: Richard Wilson’s legacy is secure, and his current chapter is about quality of life and chosen projects rather than commercial ambition.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Richard Madden: Biography, Career, and Filmography
• Peter Davison: Biography, Family, and Career of the Fifth Doctor

For the media consumer in the UK wondering what Richard Wilson does now, the answer is straightforward: he lives quietly, directs theatre when inspired, and remains the most beloved grumpy man in British television history. The only choice left for him is whether to return to the screen—or let Victor Meldrew rest in peace.