Melvyn Hayes Now: Age, Career, Wife, and Pub Ownership

At 91, most people are happy to put their feet up. Melvyn Hayes, the actor who spent decades as Gloria Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, has other ideas: he recently finished writing a memoir, nearly 40 years after starting it, spanning more than seven decades on stage and screen.

Age: 91 (as of 2025) ·
Years in show business: 75+ ·
Famous for: Gloria Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum ·
Born: 11 January 1935, London, England ·
Notable films: Summer Holiday (1963), The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

Here is a quick reference table of key biographical facts about Melvyn Hayes.

Where is Melvyn Hayes now?

Current residence

Hayes is believed to live quietly in the London or St Albans area. His official website does not list a current address, and recent public appearances are limited to a handful of interviews (YouTube interview (personal video)).

Recent activities

In 2025, at age 91, Hayes announced he had finished a memoir tentatively titled It Ain’t Half Late Mum. He told an interviewer he started writing it in 1986 and only completed it decades later (YouTube interview clip). The book is scheduled for publication in January 2026, according to his website (Melvyn Hayes official site).

The memoir is scheduled for January 2026 and will be a key event for nostalgic fans.

Did Melvyn Hayes own a pub?

The 500-year-old bar in London

According to biographical notes on his website, Hayes once owned a pub called The 500 Year Old Bar in London (Melvyn Hayes official site). Details about the bar’s location and how long he owned it are scarce, and no contemporary news reports confirm the claim.

St Albans pub connection

In 1992, Hayes was reportedly associated with a pub in St Albans, though the exact nature of his involvement is unclear. Wikipedia notes he married his third wife, Jayne Male, that same year (Wikipedia), but does not link her to the pub. Without independent sources, the pub ownership remains one of the murkier chapters of his life.

The catch: Hayes’s pub-owner period is documented only on his own site and in passing references. For a fuller picture, his memoir may need to fill the gaps.

What was Melvyn Hayes famous for?

It Ain’t Half Hot Mum

Hayes played Gunner “Gloria” Beaumont in the BBC sitcom It Ain’t Half Hot Mum from 1974 to 1981. The role made him a household name in the UK. His website says he “won over TV audiences” with the character (Melvyn Hayes official site). The show remains his most recognised work.

Summer Holiday

Before television fame, Hayes appeared in the 1963 musical film Summer Holiday alongside Cliff Richard. The film was a box-office hit and is often replayed on British TV. His website lists it among his film credits (Melvyn Hayes official site).

Child acting career

Hayes began acting as a child in the 1950s. He appeared in the Hammer horror film The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and later signed with Associated British Picture Corporation in 1958 (Melvyn Hayes official site). He also performed over 1,000 times in the West End production Spring and Port Wine (Melvyn Hayes official site).

What this means: Hayes’s fame rests on a narrow set of roles, but his longevity shows steady work across mediums. The memoir could shed light on what kept him going.

Who did Melvyn Hayes play in EastEnders?

Character role in EastEnders

Hayes made a guest appearance on EastEnders in the 1990s, playing a character named Billy. Wikipedia records the appearance but does not specify the storyline (Wikipedia). It remains one of his few later TV roles.

Other soap appearances

Beyond EastEnders, Hayes appeared in various television shows. His website mentions recent roles on Not Going Out and Would I Lie To You? (Melvyn Hayes official site), but these appear to be brief guest spots rather than recurring characters.

The pattern: Hayes’s soap appearances were fleeting. For fans hoping to see him in a regular role again, the memoir is likely the only new “content” on the horizon.

How old was Melvyn Hayes’ wife?

Wife’s identity

Hayes married Jayne Male in 1992. Wikipedia states she was his third wife; earlier marriages were to Wendy Padbury and Rosalind Allan (IMDb). Jayne Male’s age at the time of marriage is not publicly recorded.

Her death

Jayne Male died on 3 September 2022, according to Wikipedia (Wikipedia). Her age at death was not widely reported. The couple fostered over 50 children and had one child together (Wikipedia).

The trade-off: Hayes’s private life is well-documented in terms of marriage dates and fostering, but precise ages and the wife’s background remain opaque. The memoir may finally provide those details.

“I started writing this book in 1986 and finished it decades later.”

Melvyn Hayes, in a YouTube interview (source)

“Melvyn Hayes has announced his memoir ‘It Ain’t Half Late Mum’. He’s a wonderful character and this book is long overdue.”

Graham Rogers, radio host (Facebook post, as cited on Melvyn Hayes official site)

For British TV fans, the memoir offers a chance to revisit a career that bridged classic cinema and beloved sitcom. But without more public appearances or new roles, Hayes remains a figure of nostalgia rather than current relevance. The choice for the actor is clear: the memoir is his final curtain call, or the start of a new act.

For guides to other British actors’ careers, see our detailed resources on Michelle Fairley Movies and TV Shows: Full Guide and Tuppence Middleton Movies and TV Shows: Complete Guide.

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