Richard William Fairs is a British chartered building surveyor, property consultant, and founder of The Building Consultancy Ltd in Bristol. He became widely known to the public in October 2024 when his wife, celebrated comedian and actress Miranda Hart, announced their marriage during a BBC appearance on The One Show. Though Richard Fairs is a private individual by nature, his love story with Miranda Hart and his respected career in the UK property sector have made him one of the most searched names in British celebrity news since late 2024.
Richard Fairs Bio and Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard William Fairs |
| Date of Birth | February 1964 |
| Age | 61 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Bristol, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Chartered Building Surveyor, Property Consultant |
| Company | The Building Consultancy Ltd |
| Education | University of Greenwich (Building Surveying) |
| Spouse | Miranda Hart (married July 2023) |
| Previous Marriage | Jeanne Speight (over 25 years) |
| Children | Two (from first marriage) |
| Social Media | Private, no public accounts |
Early Life and Background
Richard Fairs was born in February 1964 in Bristol, England. He grew up in the city with a natural interest in buildings, architecture, and the built environment. That early curiosity shaped everything that followed in his professional life.
He studied at the University of Greenwich, where he earned a degree in building surveying. The course gave him a strong technical foundation in building construction, property assessment, structural defects, and conservation principles.
He began his professional career in 1982 as a trainee surveyor at Rumball Sedgwick in Watford, entering a field where precision and responsibility matter more than public recognition.
Professional Career
Richard Fairs has spent over four decades building a respected career in building surveying and property consultancy. This is a highly specialised field governed by professional standards in the UK and overseen by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
He eventually founded The Building Consultancy Ltd, a Bristol-based firm offering a wide range of services to property owners, landlords, developers, and investors.
Key services provided through The Building Consultancy include:
- Property condition assessments and structural surveys
- Building defect diagnosis and remediation advice
- Refurbishment and renovation consultancy
- Conservation advice for historic and period buildings
- Property management consultancy
- Expert guidance on maintenance strategies
His work has a direct impact on the safety, longevity, and habitability of buildings across the UK. Chartered surveyors like Fairs play an essential role in the property sector, particularly in relation to older buildings that require specialist knowledge and care.
He is widely regarded within his professional community as a diligent, ethical, and highly experienced practitioner who has mentored younger surveyors and contributed meaningfully to the field over his career.
How Richard Fairs Met Miranda Hart
The story of how Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart met is one that Miranda herself has described as unexpectedly romantic, a real-life situation that could easily belong in one of her comedy scripts.
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Miranda Hart hired a building surveyor to assess and resolve a serious mould problem in her West London home. That surveyor was Richard Fairs.
Their initial meeting was entirely professional. However, after spending time together during the inspection and follow-up visits, a deeper connection began to develop. Miranda has said in interviews that she realised very quickly that she was falling for him.
In her 2024 memoir, titled I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, she affectionately refers to him as “The Mould Man” and “The Boy from Bristol.” She describes their first date as simple and natural, and recalls telling him she realised she was in love with him while they were still talking on that very first outing.
The couple’s relationship grew steadily and quietly throughout 2021 and 2022. Richard proposed to Miranda at Kew Gardens in London, on a bridge overlooking the lake. Miranda has described the proposal as deeply emotional and deeply right.
The Wedding
Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart married on 6 July 2023 at St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Hambledon, Hampshire, England. The ceremony was attended by a small group of close friends and family.
The reception had a deliberately fun and informal feel. Miranda has described it as Hawaiian themed, complete with inflatable flamingos, coconut bowling, and a steel band. The couple’s preference for warmth, humor, and simplicity over formal grandeur was clearly reflected in every detail of the day.
The marriage was not announced publicly at the time. Miranda chose to reveal the news herself in October 2024, on her own terms, during her appearance on The One Show. She introduced herself cheerfully as “a young bride at 51,” drawing laughter and genuine warmth from the audience and presenters alike.
Miranda Hart’s Announcement on The One Show
When Miranda Hart revealed her marriage on The One Show in October 2024, she did so with her trademark humor and warmth. Speaking about Richard, she described him as her best friend and said that finding him during a pandemic and during a period of chronic illness felt like a genuine miracle.
She described the relationship as filled with laughter, trust, and a deep sense of companionship. Her words resonated strongly with fans who had followed her career for years and who knew she had long expressed a wish to find a partner and share her life with someone.
The announcement triggered widespread public interest in Richard Fairs, with searches for his name rising sharply across the UK within hours of the broadcast.
Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart’s Relationship
The relationship between Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart is widely described as one built on friendship, mutual respect, humor, and genuine affection.
Miranda has been open about the health challenges she faced during the period she met Richard. She was diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition she had unknowingly battled for over thirty years after a tick bite in Virginia. During her worst periods, she was largely confined to her home and unable to work.
Richard’s presence during that time was not merely romantic. He provided calm, practical support to someone who was physically and emotionally depleted. Miranda has credited his steadiness and care as a significant part of her recovery and wellbeing.
The couple divides their time between London and Hampshire and is reported to share a quiet, grounded lifestyle that keeps them comfortably away from red carpets and public events.
Richard Fairs and His Previous Marriage
Before meeting Miranda Hart, Richard Fairs was married to Jeanne Speight for over 25 years. The couple had two children together. Their marriage ended around 2017. The separation is reported to have been handled with maturity and dignity, and Fairs continued to focus on his responsibilities as a father throughout the following years.
Miranda Hart has warmly embraced her role as stepmother to Richard’s two children, though both children remain outside public attention in keeping with the family’s preference for privacy.
Why Richard Fairs Remains Private
Despite being married to one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers, Richard Fairs has consistently chosen to remain out of the spotlight. He has no public social media presence. He does not attend public events with Miranda or give media interviews.
This deliberate privacy is something Miranda has spoken about with respect and admiration. She has made clear that she values his preference for a quiet life and that their shared comfort in low-key, genuine connection is one of the foundations of their relationship.
His approach is unusual in the context of celebrity culture, where spouses of famous figures often use their proximity to fame as a platform. Richard Fairs has shown no interest in doing so, and that quality has earned him considerable respect from Miranda’s fanbase.
Richard Fairs vs Miranda Hart: A Quick Comparison
| Detail | Richard Fairs | Miranda Hart |
|---|---|---|
| Profession | Chartered Building Surveyor | Comedian, Actress, Writer |
| Age | 61 | 53 |
| Hometown | Bristol, England | Torquay, Devon |
| Public Profile | Very private | Highly public |
| Known For | The Building Consultancy | Miranda, Call the Midwife, Spy |
| Married | July 2023 | July 2023 |
| Children | Two from previous marriage | Stepmother to Richard’s children |
| Social Media | None | Active |
Final Thoughts
Richard Fairs is a quietly impressive figure whose story resonates with anyone who values substance over spectacle. He built a four-decade career on technical excellence and professional integrity without ever seeking public attention. He navigated a long first marriage, fatherhood, and significant personal change with the same steadiness that defines his professional life.
His relationship with Miranda Hart is genuinely touching. Two people who found each other during one of the most difficult periods in recent memory, in the most ordinary of circumstances, and built something lasting and real from it.
In a world that constantly rewards loudness, Richard Fairs is a reminder that quiet dedication, genuine character, and a solid body of work are more than enough to build a life worth admiring.
FAQs About Richard Fairs
Who is Richard Fairs?
Richard William Fairs is a British chartered building surveyor, founder of The Building Consultancy Ltd in Bristol, and the husband of comedian and actress Miranda Hart. He became publicly known in October 2024 when Miranda confirmed their marriage on BBC’s The One Show.
How did Richard Fairs meet Miranda Hart?
They met in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown when Miranda hired him to assess a mould problem in her West London home. Their professional relationship developed into a romance over the following months.
When did Richard Fairs and Miranda Hart get married?
They married on 6 July 2023 at St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Hambledon, Hampshire, England, in a small, privately held ceremony.
What does Richard Fairs do for a living?
He is a chartered building surveyor and the founder of The Building Consultancy Ltd. His work includes property condition assessments, structural defect diagnosis, building conservation, and property management consultancy.
Does Richard Fairs have children?
Yes. He has two children from his previous marriage to Jeanne Speight. Miranda Hart has spoken warmly about her role as their stepmother.
Was Richard Fairs married before Miranda Hart?
Yes. He was married to Jeanne Speight for over 25 years before the marriage ended around 2017.
How old is Richard Fairs?
He was born in February 1964, making him 61 years old as of 2026.
Does Richard Fairs have social media?
No. He maintains no public social media presence and has consistently chosen a private lifestyle despite his wife’s public profile.
Where did Richard Fairs study?
He studied building surveying at the University of Greenwich, before beginning his career as a trainee surveyor in 1982.
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