Veteran Inspector Wexford star George Baker is halfway through a five-month stay in hospital following complications from a broken hip, sustained last March.

Mr Baker, 78, went into hospital on October 15 and is not likely to be home until the end of February.

Problems began after a fall at his West Lavington home on March 3 last year, the anniversary of the death of his second wife, Sally.

He had been putting logs on to the fire when he overbalanced and fell.

He underwent major surgery at Salisbury District Hospital but was well enough to take part in the filming of an edition of Celebrity Cash in the Attic with Angela Rippon later that month.

He continued to improve until constant pain made him return to his consultant.

Mr Baker said: “They had mended my femur but unfortunately it had gone septic. So this has necessitated having to replace my hip and part of my thigh.

“It was a very big operation and it is going to take me a long time to recover. I am not allowed to move at all.

“They have now moved me out of the Royal United Hospital to the Bath Clinic and the staff in both places are absolutely fantastic. It is a little frustrating not being able to move about but I have a lot of writing to do and thinking to do, so I am getting on with that.”

Mr Baker’s medical condition has coincided with his wife, the actress Louie Ramsay, suffering her second stroke.

The couple’s problems have meant giving up their dream home at Stibb Hill, West Lavington.

Mr Baker said: “We had to face reality. We just couldn’t manage stairs any more. At the beginning of October I put the house on the market, thinking it would take months to sell.

“It went in just eight days. So we were homeless. Then I was talking to a friend in the Churchill Arms and he said he was having to give up his bungalow in Market Lavington and that was up for sale.

“I went to see it the next day and bought it straight away. It is just perfect.”

Ms Ramsey is recovering at the BUPA care home in Market Lavington at the moment but when Mr Baker comes out of hospital the couple will move into their new home together.

Mr Baker said: “I will gather her up and take her to our new little bungalow to continue the new phase of our lives.”