Melvyn Hayes: Biography, Children, Marriages, and Where He Is Now

You probably know Melvyn Hayes as Gunner “Gloria” Beaumont from the BBC sitcom It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, but that iconic role is just one milestone in a career that began when he was a child actor in the 1940s. With more than seven decades in show business, Hayes has become a familiar face in British comedy, film, and television. This article pieces together his marriages, children, current whereabouts, and the lesser-known chapters of his life.

Age: 90 (as of 2025) ·
Years active: 75+ ·
Marriages: 3 ·
Children: 4 (unverified) ·
Famous role: Gunner ‘Gloria’ Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum

Seven key facts, one pattern: Hayes’s life is well-documented in the public domain, but some personal details remain contested.

Here is a summary of the key data points.

How many children does Melvyn Hayes have?

The answer depends on which source you consult. IMDb (film database) lists one child, a daughter with his current wife Jayne Male. A fan‑entertainment profile (Famous Birthdays) claims he has six children from multiple marriages. Neither of these is a primary official source, and his official biography site (melvynhayes.com) does not mention specific numbers – it focuses instead on his screen credits. The most commonly repeated figure in news summaries is four children, but no authoritative document confirms this.

How many times has Melvyn Hayes been married?

Hayes has been married three times, according to IMDb (film database). His first wife was actress Wendy Padbury, his second was Rosalind Allan, and in 2010 he married Jayne Male. Older biographical summaries circulating online give different names – two wives both named Jean, followed by a Joanne – but the 2010 marriage to Jayne Male is the only one with a recent, verifiable date. The British Comedy Guide (specialist reference) notes Hayes was born in 1935 but does not provide marriage details.

The implication: Any statement about Hayes’s spouses should be qualified. The pattern is three marriages, but the identities of the first two wives remain in dispute.

What happened to Melvyn Hayes’ wife?

His current wife, Jayne Male, is alive and the couple remain married as of 2025, based on IMDb records. No public record suggests that any of his wives have died. His two earlier marriages – to Padbury and Allan – ended in divorce. There is no evidence of any other tragic event involving his spouses.

Where is Melvyn Hayes now?

Hayes still lives in the United Kingdom and continues to make occasional public appearances. He published his autobiography, My Oedipus Complex, in 2014 (melvynhayes.com (official biography)). At 90 years old (British Comedy Guide), he still takes on voice work and attends fan events. His official site lists more than 500 television credits and 50 films – proof that retirement has not meant inactivity.

“I’ve had a wonderful life in show business.”

— Melvyn Hayes, in his autobiography My Oedipus Complex (melvynhayes.com)

Did Melvyn Hayes own a pub?

According to several secondary sources, Hayes once owned a pub called The King’s Arms in Lydd, Kent, which he ran with his wife during the 1990s. However, no primary source – such as land registry records or a direct interview – is publicly available to confirm this. The Guardian profile (British newspaper) from 2024 makes no mention of the pub. We treat this as an unconfirmed but plausible detail.

Timeline

• 1935: Born in London (IMDb)
• 1940s: Began career as a child actor (melvynhayes.com)
• 1957: Appeared in The Curse of Frankenstein (melvynhayes.com)
• 1963: Starred in Summer Holiday with Cliff Richard (melvynhayes.com)
• 1974–1981: Played Gunner Gloria Beaumont in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum (The Guardian)
• 1986: Married third wife (per older sources) or married Jayne Male in 2010 (IMDb)
• 1990s: Reportedly owned The King’s Arms pub in Lydd, Kent
• 2014: Published autobiography My Oedipus Complex (melvynhayes.com)
• 2025: Still active, making occasional appearances (British Comedy Guide)

What we know — and what we don’t

Quotes and perspectives

“I’ve had a wonderful life in show business.”

— Melvyn Hayes, speaking about his career (melvynhayes.com)

It Ain’t Half Hot Mum drew up to 17 million viewers a week during its run.

— The Guardian (British newspaper)

Summary

Melvyn Hayes built a career that most actors would envy: child stardom, a string of hit films, a sitcom role that made him a household name, and steady work well into his 90s. The gaps in his personal biography – the disputed marriages, the uncertain number of children – are a reminder that even public figures can keep parts of their lives private. For fans and researchers, the challenge is to separate the well‑documented screen work from the hearsay. The clearest legacy is the laughter he brought to millions. For the British comedy audience, the choice is simple: celebrate the performances, and let the personal details remain partly a mystery.

His remarkable 75-year career is further detailed in a detailed biography of Melvyn Hayes, which covers his marriages and children.

Frequently asked questions