John Nettles’ daughter followed in famous dad’s footsteps

John Nettles recently confirmed his retirement and now enjoys his downtime in the Devonshire countryside where he resides in a 15th-century home with his artist wife, Cathryn Sealey.

The 81-year-old is the proud father of one daughter who he shares with his ex-wife Joyce Middleton. The former couple tied the knot in 1966 and welcomed their beloved child, Emma, in 1970.

They called time on their marriage nine years later but remained on good terms and even worked together on Midsomer Murders, where Joyce signed on as a casting director.

The actor has shared glimpses into his family life and previously revealed his closeness with his daughter even led her to follow in his footsteps.

John raved that his “best friend” is his daughter in an interview with the Express.

“My best friend is my daughter Emma, next to my wife Cath, of course. I have a legion of friends and the best ones are my immediate family, which is very clichéd but true,” he remarked.

The on-screen star, who is known for his various roles as an officer of the law, including Jim Bergerac in the BBC series to DCI Tom Barnby in Midsomer Murders, saw Emma follow suit.

She moved to Jersey while her father was filming Bergerac and continues to reside on the island as she raises a family of her own.

Emma became a police officer herself and in 1999, almost a decade after the show wrapped, she joined the States of Jersey Police, working with officers who met her father during the show’s filming.

Speaking with The Telegraph in 2024, John revealed that Emma now works as a data protection officer and was heading the Scottish Government’s inquiry into the use of mobile messaging apps during the pandemic.

Asked to share his proudest moment, in 2009 John told MailOnline: “Becoming a grandfather. I have two – a boy and a girl – and I try to see them as often as I can.”