Riders star Marcus Gilbert’s very tragic backstory: From losing his father at 12 years old to the death of his first wife after pancreatic cancer battle and his own Parkinson’s diagnosis – as actor dies aged 67
Riders star Marcus Gilbert passed away on Sunday at the age of 67 after a three-year battle with throat cancer.
The Bristol-born actor was famous for playing the swooning Rupert Campbell-Black in the 1993 TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Riders, but away from the spotlight his personal life was filled with tragedy.
Throughout his life, the star tragically lost his first wife, Homaa, to pancreatic cancer in 2020, when she was only 60 years old.
The couple had two children, son Maxi and daughter Aaliya, and the latter revealed during Homaa’s treatment that Marcus was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Marcus found love again with Lysette Anthony, who is said to be ‘head over heels’ in love with the star after he was also divorced twice.
Before his fame, Marcus’ life was marked by tragedy from the beginning, when his father George and grandparents passed away on the same night when he was just 12 years old.
THE VERY tragic backstory of Riders star Marcus Gilberts: from losing his father at 12 to the death of his first wife after a battle with pancreatic cancer and his own Parkinson’s diagnosis – as the actor dies aged 67 (pictured with partner Lysette Anthony)
During his lifetime, the star tragically lost his first wife, Homaa, to pancreatic cancer in 2020, when she was just 60 (pictured on their wedding day)
Taking to Instagram to mark his death in November, Marcus wrote: ‘This is in memory of my father, George Michael Gilbert (1927-1970).
‘Sadly I never had the opportunity to know him very well, but I remember his flamboyance, his sense of adventure and his larger-than-life personality. ‘I still mourn his loss and can only imagine what an impact he has had on my life.’
Recalling his grandparents, he added: ‘This [is] I also remember the smell of Wright’s Cold tar soap, cereal with warm milk, and stories from his travels as a Royal Marine, to remember my beloved grandparents, Emily and Oswald, who lost their lives on the same Halloween night.
‘A thought for all the children who lost their parents too early.’
After the sadness of his childhood. Married to Marcus Homaa Khan From 1992 until his tragic death on the same day as his birthday in 2020.
Homaa died after surgery to remove pancreatic cancer; This surgery led to complications and he spent five weeks in the Intensive Therapy Unit.
Her daughter Aaliya wrote at the time: ‘The five weeks my mother spent at Kings after surgery for pancreatic cancer, with its complications and subsequent stay at ITU, were undoubtedly the most painful period of my life.’
She later revealed that Marcus was also diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the same time as his mother’s treatment.
Before his fame, Marcus’ life was marked by tragedy from the beginning after his father George (pictured) and grandparents passed away on the same night when he was just 12 years old.
Paying tribute to his father and grandparents, he wrote: ‘A thought for all the children who lost their parents too early.’
The couple had two children, son Maxi and daughter Aaliya, and the latter revealed during Homaa’s treatment that Marcus was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
He explained: ‘Over the last few years (and always) I have had the chance to experience his inspiring fearlessness; Battling chemo/radio and Covid, supporting my brother and I through finals, helping my dad shake off his Parkinson’s diagnosis – all with an unwavering smile on his face.
‘This year I’ve learned that you never know how resilient you truly are unless you have to. ‘And you never know what people are dealing with behind the scenes, so kindness never goes to waste.’
Following Homaa’s death after 28 years of marriage, Marcus went on to find love once again with Lysette Anthony.
The couple began their relationship in 2023 after Marcus contacted his manager after learning of his Parkinson’s diagnosis.
She said she wanted to help in any way she could, and even though her previous boyfriend left her when she shared her diagnosis, Marcus wanted to be there for her.
She previously said in 2023, six months into their relationship: ‘What Marcus offers me – something I’ve never known before – is a partnership made of dreams. Marcus calls this the “third act.” “There’s only one life. Let’s go out,” he says.’
But a few months after meeting Lysette, he was diagnosed with throat cancer and required chemotherapy.
The couple first met on the set of A Ghost In Monte Carlo in 1990, a year after Lysette was raped by Harvey Weinstein.
After meeting Harvey in 1982, when she was just 19, the two were friends for a few years until she revealed that he turned into a monster as her career took off.
Homaa died after surgery for pancreatic cancer, which caused complications, and spent five weeks in the Intensive Therapy Unit. Her daughter shared the news on Instagram at the time.
She wrote: ‘This year I’ve learned that you never know how resilient you truly are unless you have to. Plus you never know what people are dealing with behind the scenes, so kindness never goes to waste.’
Picture with his son Maximilian
She became the only British actress to call out the disgraced mogul after he publicly accused her of rape in 2017, a decision she previously said had ‘shattered’ his reputation.
Defending Lysette in an Instagram post in September, Marcus shared a photo of them both while writing: ‘Lysette is a beautiful lady in every way and deserves the best that life has to offer, but some elements in society have not treated her the way she deserves which is an injustice…
‘This needs an urgent solution if he is to enjoy the same tranquility as above, which is my greatest wish for him. The truth must be above all else’.
When we met with Marcus, The actress’ friend said: ‘This is a serious romance and has been going on for a while. They make a cute couple. Lysette is very fond of him.’
During their time as a couple, Marcus also said goodbye to his beloved dog Delilah in November 2024.
Marcus’ death was announced by a fan In the statement made on the Facebook page, the following statements were made: ‘Today we heard the very sad news that Marcus lost his fight against cancer on Sunday, January 11, 2026…
“Along with his many fans around the world, we will mourn his loss and remember the joy he gave us on screen and in person. RIP Marcus.’
Tributes poured in for the star, with fans writing: ‘I went home, in the arms of angels and Homaa… Oh my god. RIP Marcus… So sad.. Very sad news…
Marcus was photographed with Lysette when they starred together in A Ghost in Monte Carlo in 1990 – 23 years before they became a couple
During their time as a couple, Marcus also said goodbye to his beloved dog Delilah in November 2024.
Defending Lysette in an Instagram post in September, Marcus wrote: ‘Lysette is a beautiful lady in every way and deserves the best that life has to offer, but some elements in society have not treated her the way she deserves which is an injustice…’
Actor Toby Hadoke, who attended the commemorations, also shared a trio of photos and added the following caption: ‘A powerful actor with flamboyance, charm and a little sparkle…
I was very sad to learn that Marcus Gilbert, with whom I had a great time in Liverpool about 10 years ago, died at a very young age.
He was also great in ‘Doctor Who’s Battlefield’ and had a great role in Evil Dead 3: Army of Darkness…
‘He also told me how much he made from being part of the second Gold Blend ad saga: eye-watering! Beautiful man: he wore his qualities lightly. :(‘.
Following her role as Ancelyn in the Doctor Who television story Battlefield, the show’s showrunner Russell T Davies paid tribute to Toby by writing under her post: “Oh, that’s sad news.”
