Nigel Havers

Nigel Allan Havers (born 6 November 1951) is an English actor and presenter. In 1981 he earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for portraying Lord Andrew Lindsay in the British sports film Chariots of Fire. Other credits include A Passage to India (1984), Empire of the Sun (1987), Farewell to the King (1989), Don't Wait Up (1983–1990), Sleepers (1991) Coronation Street, (2009–2019), Brothers & Sisters (2009), Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures, Downton Abbey (2011), The Life of Rock with Brian Pern (2014), Benidorm (2017), Finding Alice (2021), The Gentlemen (2024), and A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story (2025).

Early life and family Nigel Allan Havers was born on 6 November 1951, His father served as Attorney General for England and Wales and briefly as Lord Chancellor in the Conservative Government in the 1980s.

His paternal aunt, Lady Butler-Sloss, his grandfather Sir Cecil Havers and elder brother Philip Havers KC also had prominent legal careers. His paternal uncle, David Havers, was a Manchester-based businessman.

Havers took part in the BBC TV series Who Do You Think You Are?, broadcast in the UK in July 2013. As part of the show, he explored his ancestry from an Essex businessman on his father's side and a Cornish miller on his mother's side.

Professional life and career Havers is most known for "playing the quintessential, old school Englishman with his dashing good looks, cut-glass accent and thoroughly charming manner".

In 1975, Havers's career began with an appearance in Upstairs, Downstairs,

His first film appearance was in Pope Joan (1972), He later wrote an autobiography, titled Playing with Fire, which was published in October 2006 by Headline Publishing Group.

In 2009, Havers appeared in the U.S. television drama Brothers & Sisters,

As a guest star in the 2011 Christmas Special episode of television show Downton Abbey,

In July 2012, Havers presented a programme on ITV called The Real Chariots of Fire, a documentary about the runners who inspired the film Chariots of Fire. In 2014, he played Tony Pebble in The Life of Rock with Brian Pern, a BBC Four comedy which parodied the life and career of former Genesis singer, Peter Gabriel. On 25 January 2015, Havers took part in celebrity talent show Get Your Act Together. returning as the same character for the tenth series in 2018. He also joined fellow celebrities Simon Callow, Lorraine Chase, and Debbie McGee on the Channel 5 (UK) show, Celebrity Carry On Barging, later that year.

In 2020, he starred as Roger alongside Keeley Hawes and Joanna Lumley in the comedy drama series Finding Alice.

Personal life Havers married Carolyn CoxIn in 1974. They had a daughter and divorced in 1989.

During his first marriage, Havers began a relationship with Polly Bloomfield (née) Williams, the daughter of actor Hugh Williams and the sister of his friend, actor Simon Williams. They married in 1989. She died in June 2004 of ovarian cancer.

In 1990, Havers was banned from driving for one year and fined £500 for drunk driving.

On 8 June 2007, Havers married Georgiana "George" Bronfman. (née Rita Webb), an Essex native, in New York City. Bronfman is the former spouse of Canadian-American businessman Edgar Bronfman.

Havers is the godfather of comedian Jack Whitehall.

Selected filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1972 Pope Joan Young Monk 1977 The Haunting of Julia Estate Agent 1978 Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? Counterman 1979 Birth of the Beatles George Martin 1981 Chariots of Fire Lord Andrew Lindsay Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role 1984 A Passage to India Ronny 1985 Burke & Wills William John Wills 1986 The Whistle Blower Bob Jones 1987 Empire of the Sun Dr. Rawlins 1989 Farewell to the King Capt. Fairbourne 1990 Quiet Days in Clichy Alfred Perlès 1996 Element of Doubt Richard 2004 The Life and Death of Peter Sellers David Niven 2006 Penelope Mr. Vanderman

Television

Theatre (pantomime) Sleeping Beauty – London Palladium (2025), as Keeper of the Privy Robin Hood – London Palladium (2024) Peter Pan – London Palladium (2023) Jack and the Beanstalk - London Palladium (2022)

Theatre (other) Ricochet (1993) as producer and lead actor

TV Times Awards Best Actor

British Style Awards Best Style

Best Exit

Villain of the Year

British Pantomime Awards Best Supporting Male

Inside Soap Awards Best Exit