David Morrissey is a beloved British actor, best known for his roles as DCS Ian St Clair in Sherwood and The Governor in seasons three and four of The Walking Dead.
In his latest TV venture, David plays Clive Goss opposite Alan Cumming's Leo Struthers in Channel 4's latest tense new thriller, Tip Toe.
© Ben BlackallCreated by Russell T Davies, the five-part series is set in an ordinary Manchester suburb that becomes a minefield of lies and violence when Leo gives his neighbour Clive a spare key.
While viewers are getting to know Clive in David's latest role, they may be interested to learn that the actor also has ties to one of Britain's most famous families. Here's everything you need to know…
David Morrisey's famous family link
David, 61, who is also known for his roles in The Missing, Blitz and Welcome to the Punch, was previously married to Esther Freud, 63. The pair tied the knot in 2006.
They married in a ceremony on Southwold Pier and welcomed three children together: Albie, 31, Anna, 28, and Gene, 22.
© Dave M. BenettThrough his marriage to Esther, David became connected to the renowned Freud family. Esther is the sister of fashion designer Bella Freud, and both are daughters of the celebrated artist Lucian Freud, who died in 2011 aged 88.
Lucian was the grandson of Sigmund Freud, the pioneering neurologist widely regarded as the founder of psychoanalysis. His theories had a profound influence on psychology, culture and the way people understand the human mind.
David and Esther were together for 26 years and married for 13 years before they decided to separate in 2019. Since then, the pair have both moved on to new relationships.
Who is David dating now?
In 2023, David was first linked to theatrical agent Larah Simpson, 33. While the pair keep their relationship out of the spotlight, in December 2025, the actor shared a photo of a woman overlooking a picturesque lake, captioning the image: "Credit to Larah Simpson."
In December 2025, the actor shared a photo of a woman overlooking a picturesque lake, captioning the image: "Credit to Larah Simpson."
Who is Esther dating now?
Meanwhile, Esther has also found love again. Speaking on HELLO!'s Second Act podcast with host Ateh Jewel, the writer reflected on the breakdown of her marriage to David, explaining that communication between them had gone "awry" despite their best efforts.
"We always were friends, and we tried really hard," she said. "We talked so much in the lead up to our marriage disintegrating, always with hope and optimism that it wouldn't end." Despite their efforts, however, Esther felt they had become disconnected.
"There wasn't a huge amount of animosity or grievance really left," she explained. "I felt it was more that our communication had gone awry. I didn't know what he wanted. I remember one day thinking, 'I don't even know what food you like. I don't even know anything any more. I've lost my link with this person who was like you.'"
Following her divorce, Esther met her new partner sooner than she expected. "I actually met him unseemly soon after the end of my marriage," she admitted. After being set up on a blind date, Esther knew there was an instant connection.
"I walked in. I thought, 'Yes'," she told Ateh. "That was it. My friends were so disappointed. They were like, 'You met someone already? I was expecting at least a year of hilarity'."
She added: "We were exactly the same age. Our children were born at exactly the same time," she added. "There was just something about him, he made me laugh straight away."
© WireImageDavid and Esther's blended family
David and Esther have continued to co-parent their three adult children, and still celebrate special occasions together as a blended family. "We have Christmas together," Esther told Ateh, "and we celebrate three children's birthdays, and now we have a grandchild, so there's even more opportunities to be a family."
However, her dynamic with David isn't quite as Esther expected it to be: "I actually imagined that we would be more friendly, because we've always been great friends," she said. "We'd meet up, we'd talk about things and chat, but actually we just tend to stick to those family gatherings and save up the chat about what film we saw or what book we read for Christmas."
