Meet 90s detective star George Baker's famous daughter – who shot to fame halfway across the world


George Baker was a major British star in the latter half of the 20th century thanks to The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and I, Claudius, and he has a famous daughter


© Alamy Stock Photo
Matthew Moore
Matthew MooreSenior Evening Writer
2 minutes ago
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Several iconic detectives have been created over the years, and back in the 1990s, fans were always tuning in for The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, which starred George Baker as DCI Reg Wexford.

The series, which aired between 1987 and 2000, was based on the book series by Ruth Rendell, and saw DCI Wexford grappling with solving horrific murders, while also facing his own difficulties back at home thanks to his uneasy life with wife Dora, played by Louie Ramsay, whom the actor would later go on to marry.

DCI Wexford was brought to life by George, who had previously played Tiberius in the BBC's I, Claudius, an adaptation of the 1934 book of the same name. George also had roles in the likes of The Dam Busters, Curse of the Fly and Robin of Sherwood.

Ian Fleming reportedly considered George for the role of James Bond before it went to Sean Connery, but the star appeared in two films in the franchise: On Her Majesty's Secret Service and The Spy Who Loved Me.

George sadly died at the age of 80 on 7 October 2011, seven months after Louie died. The star left behind five children, four from his marriage to costume designer Julia Squire, and one from his marriage to the actress Sally Home.

The star's eldest daughter, Candida, has found fame, although she had to travel halfway across the world to make her name. Here's everything you need to know about the star…

George's famous daughter Candida Baker

Although she was born in the United Kingdom, Candida ended up moving to Australia in 1977, a year after she had appeared as an understudy in an RSC tour of the nation. Candida works as a journalist, initially writing for The Age, before working for the likes of Time Australia, Good Weekend and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Candida also became an author and has written works like The Powerful Owl and The Hidden. She has also written several children's books, including The Little Angels Counting Book, I Know That and Belinda the Ninja Ballerina.

Candida Baker standing with her son Sam© Instagram
Candida, with her son Sam, is a famous writer and journalist

For 25 years, Candida was with the Australian journalist and author Robert Drewe, who is known for novels like Our Sunshine and The Drowner. The pair welcomed two children together, and her son, Sam Drewe, owns the fashion label Samson & Bronc.

George and Candida had a close bond, and writing about her childhood in The Sydney Morning Herald, she reflected: "When I was five, my father bought me a copy of Black Beauty to read to me. Desperate to devour the book myself, I learnt to read, and then the strangest thing happened: whatever he read to me, or I read to myself, I would dream that night in glorious technicolour, and I've pretty much dreamt of horses every night since."

Black-and-white image of George Baker holding his baby daughter© Alamy Stock Photo
Candida and George were close in her youth

Candida isn't George's only famous relative, as his granddaughter Kim Sherwood has followed in his James Bond footprints. Kim has written a trilogy of books in the James Bond series, Double or Nothing, A Spy Like Me and Hurricane Room, the latter of which was released last month.

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