Harriet Walter was married to Peter Blythe until he died in 2004. Blythe lived for eight years with Harriet Walter; the couple were planning to marry at the time of his death.
He was an English character actor, probably best known as Samuel “Soapy Sam” Ballard in Rumpole of the Bailey. Born in Yorkshire, Blythe studied drama on a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art after serving in the Royal Air Force.
Blythe began his professional career as a repertory player with the Living Theatre Company, the Nottingham Playhouse and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He made his West End debut in 1965.
One of Blythe’s plays, Tom, Dick, and Harry, was produced at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough in 1972 directed by Alan Ayckbourn. He also wrote two poetry chapbooks, Spring and The Light.