Quick Answer: Ruby Wax’s husband is Ed Bye, the man behind the camera on Red Dwarf, Bottom and The Vicar of Dibley for much of British TV history. He and Ruby married on 16 May 1988, having met while working on Girls on Top. Nearly 40 years down the line, they’re still married, with three kids all grown up now.
Who is this article for? This guide is for readers searching for Ruby Wax’s husband, Ed Bye’s biography, their marriage, family life, career, and children. It is also useful for fans of British television, Red Dwarf, Bottom, and The Vicar of Dibley, as well as anyone looking for verified celebrity relationship information.
- Ruby Wax’s husband Ed Bye is a director and producer, born in London back in June 1955.
- The pair married in May 1988. That’s well over three decades together now.
- They actually met at work, on the set of Girls on Top in the mid-80s.
- Ed’s the man behind much of Red Dwarf, plus Bottom and The Vicar of Dibley.
- They’ve got three kids: Max, Madeline and Marina.
- Ruby’s called the marriage “unconventional” more than once, built on giving each other space rather than sharing everything.
Curious about Ruby herself? Read Who Is Ruby Wax? and How Old Is Ruby Wax?
Quick Facts About Ed Bye
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Edward Richard Morrison Bye |
| Born | June 1955, London, England |
| Occupation | TV and film director, producer |
| Known for | Red Dwarf, Bottom, The Vicar of Dibley |
| Married Ruby Wax | 16 May 1988, Richmond Registry Office |
| Children | Three: Max, Madeline, Marina |
| Production company | Tall TV, founded 2011 |
How Ruby Wax and Ed Bye Met
Ed and Ruby first crossed paths on Girls on Top, the ITV sitcom that also had Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Tracey Ullman on the cast list. It was Ed’s first go at directing, and Ruby was one of the leads. Funny enough, she didn’t clock that he liked her. According to Hello Magazine, it took a colleague on set to point it out before she gave him a chance.
Nothing happened overnight. Their relationship built up quietly, off camera, and by the time they walked down the aisle in 1988, the man who’d go on to become the Ruby Wax husband everyone still asks about was already carving out the directing career that would shape British sitcom comedy for years to come.
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Their Marriage Timeline
They tied the knot on 16 May 1988 at Richmond Registry Office. Third time lucky for Ruby, really, after two short-lived marriages to Andrew Porter and then Trevor Walton. This one stuck. Son Max arrived the same year they married. Daughter Madeline came along in 1990, then Marina rounded things off in 1993.
Fast forward to 2026, and this Ruby Wax husband and wife duo have clocked up nearly four decades together, which is no small thing in an industry that chews up marriages for breakfast. Ruby’s talked openly about what’s kept them going, and it comes down to one thing: not trying to merge their lives into one.
Also read: Jennie Bond The Story Behind Britain’s Trusted Royal Voice
Ed Bye’s Career
Before he was known as the Ruby Wax husband, Ed was cutting his teeth as a production manager at the BBC. He moved into directing from there, eventually becoming the name behind several series of Red Dwarf, plus The Young Ones, Bottom, and The Vicar of Dibley. He also directed a fair few of Ruby’s own shows, including Don’t Miss Wax and The Full Wax, so the two of them have been colleagues as much as spouses. In 2011, he set up his own production company, Tall TV.
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Family Life and Children
Three kids: Max, born in 1988, followed by Madeline in 1990 and Marina in 1993. Both girls ended up in comedy themselves, funnily enough. They host a podcast together, and Marina’s also carved out an acting career, with roles in Wonka and one of the newer Bridget Jones films.
Ruby’s kept most of family life out of the spotlight. She’s said before that she held off telling her kids about her own mental health struggles until they were old enough to understand it properly. As for where they actually live now, that’s stayed private too.
Also read: Who Is Shona McGarty? Age, Career, TV Shows & Life Today
What Makes Their Marriage Work
Ask Ruby about the marriage, and she’ll tell you straight: it’s unconventional. Speaking to The Sun’s Fabulous magazine, she said she and Ed keep separate friends, don’t assume they like the same things, and just let each other get on with it. No pretending they’re joined at the hip. That, by her own account, is exactly why it’s lasted this long when so many showbiz marriages don’t.
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FAQs
Who is Ruby Wax’s husband?
Ed Bye, a British TV director and producer known for Red Dwarf, Bottom and The Vicar of Dibley.
When did Ruby Wax and Ed Bye get married?
16 May 1988, at Richmond Registry Office.
How did Ruby Wax and Ed Bye meet?
On the set of Girls on Top in the mid-1980s, where Ed was directing.
How many children do Ruby Wax and Ed Bye have?
Three. Son Max, born in 1988, and daughters Madeline and Marina, born in 1990 and 1993.
Was Ruby Wax married before Ed Bye?
Yes, twice. First to Andrew Porter, then to Trevor Walton, before marrying Ed in 1988.
What is Ed Bye best known for directing?
Most of Red Dwarf, along with Bottom and The Vicar of Dibley.
Do Ruby Wax and Ed Bye still work together?
Ed’s directed several of Ruby’s shows over the years, though these days their careers mostly run on separate tracks.
Are any of Ruby Wax’s children in showbiz?
Yes. Madeline and Marina both work in comedy and host a podcast together. Marina also acts, with credits including Wonka and a Bridget Jones film.
What has Ruby Wax said about her marriage?
She calls it unconventional. Separate friends, separate interests, no expectation that they share everything.
Does Ed Bye have his own production company?
Yes, Tall TV, which he founded in 2011.
