Ted Lasso star Anthony Head’s partner dies aged 61: Animal rights activist Sarah Fisher passes away ‘with very little warning’ as her daughters pay tribute

Sarah Fisher, partner of Ted Lasso star Anthony Head, has died at the age of 61.

Animal rights activist Sarah He lived with the Little Britain and Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor, 71, near Bath.

Her two daughters, Emily and Daisy, who are both actors, shared the sad news and paid tribute to their mother, describing her as ‘extraordinary, kind and talented’.

Emily, 37, rose to fame playing Carli in The Inbetweeners, while Daisy, 34, starred in Guilt, Harlots and The Syndicate.

In their tribute they said: ‘This was extremely shocking to us all and came with little warning. No words can express all that he encompassed or begin to describe the crater left by his absence.

We know how deeply he impacted the lives of so many, and we couldn’t be more proud of the legacy he left behind. I wish he had more time to share his knowledge and genius with us and the world.

Her two daughters, Emily and Daisy, who are both actors, shared the sad news and paid tribute to their mother, describing her as ‘extraordinary, kind and talented’.

‘Our pain knows no bounds, and so does the reach of his incredibly unique and irreplaceable spirit.’

They did not disclose any further details about his death.

Sarah and Anthony’s daughters are both actors.

Emily broke out as Carli D’Amato in E4’s comedy series The Inbetweeners and later played Rebecca White in Emmerdale and Colette Andrews in BBC drama The Syndicate.

Meanwhile, Daisy has played Grace in the American drama series Guilt, Amy Stevenson in BBC One’s series The Syndicate, and Kate Bottomley in the third season of the Hulu series Harlots.

She also starred as Genya Safin in the Netflix show Shadow and Bone and Sofina in the movie Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

Sarah worked at The Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in London for many years and paid tribute to them on Thursday.

In a statement they said: ‘We are truly sorry to lose our dear friend and Ambassador Sarah Fisher and we extend our deepest condolences to Sarah’s partner Anthony, her daughters, family and friends.

Animal rights campaigner Sarah lived near Bath with the Little Britain and Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor, 71.

Sarah and Anthony’s daughters are both actors. Emily (right), 37, debuts as Carli D’Amato in E4 comedy series The Inbetweeners

The couple was seen together in 2005

‘Sarah, along with her partner Anthony Head, has given so much to our charity, fostering dogs, using her dog behavior expertise to train our staff and volunteers and contributing in so many ways to make a real difference to animal welfare.

‘He will be greatly missed by all of us at Battersea.’

Primarily a musical theater performer, Anthony rose to fame in the UK in the 1980s with his role in Nescafé’s Gold Blend double TV commercials, which led to prominent roles in many television series.

He is best known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003), the Prime Minister in Little Britain (2003–2006), and Uther Pendragon in Merlin (2008–2012).

More recently he played Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso (2020–2023) and voiced Herc Shipwright in BBC Radio 4’s Cabin Pressure.

Sarah was also patron of the Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary in Somerset for many years.

Their founder, Pauline Leeson, said in a statement after her death: ‘Sarah was an advocate for all animals and was always the voice for dear souls who had no voice.

‘He will be a great loss to the animal kingdom where he worked tirelessly to help so many animals of all species find ways to cope and be happy in this changing world.

‘We at Holly Hedge are so proud to have known Sarah. His memory will live on in all the good deeds and positive changes he made in their lives.

‘Our hearts go out to Anthony, Emily, Daisy and their family.’

Sarah was also fondly remembered by staff at the Forever Hounds Trust, dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of hounds and lurchers.

Sarah had worked with Battersea and Cats Home in London over the years; They were also paying tribute on Thursday (seen with Anthony in 2015)

Their daughter Emily played Carli in The Inbetweeners

Meanwhile, their other daughter Daisy, 34, played (appeared) Grace in the American drama series Guilt

Sarah ran Tilley Farm, a sanctuary for rescued horses, ponies and donkeys

They said: ‘Sarah was a trainer and practitioner who helped many dogs, including ours, over the years.

‘He has given his time and knowledge not only to help the dogs in our care, but also by sharing this knowledge with our volunteers.

‘He generously hosted our 20th Birthday Celebration at Tilley Farm in 2016 and made us feel incredibly welcome and supported.

‘The animal world has lost a true advocate deeply committed to animal welfare.’

Sarah ran Tilley Farm, a sanctuary for rescued horses, ponies and donkeys.

She also ran Animal Centered Education at Tilley Farm, which supported the needs of dogs and other animals.

Anthony has previously said his relationship with Sarah helps him stay ‘afloat’.

He said in 2006: ‘He often tells me to ‘get over myself’.

‘There’s nothing better than coming to him. I might walk off the set with my head held high, but as soon as I get back to Sarah I’ll be punished again.

‘I can’t say he’s wearing trousers, but I probably want his advice more than he does mine.’