BBC star, 81, splits from girlfriend, 39, as she 'moves into caravan'
Fashion designer Jeff Banks, 81, who won a huge following as the presenter of BBC’s The Clothes Show from 1986 to 2000, has split from his girlfriend of two years, Hannah Beech, 39. Jeff and Hannah had been in a relationship since 2022 after meeting when the designer was inspecting his Jeff & Co designs at a store in Liverpool, near where Hannah’s father lives.
It has been reported that Jeff and Hannah had been living at his home in Henley-on-Thames since July 2023, but that Hannah has “moved into a caravan to rebuild her life” following the break-up of the relationship this summer. A source told The Sun: “Hannah genuinely fell for Jeff, despite the fact he was old enough to be her grandfather. He had incredible energy for a man in his 80s and she loved his old-school charm. He acted like a gentleman and was very generous. But it went downhill and she’s moved into temporary accommodation while she tries to rebuild her life.”
OK! has contacted Jeff’s representatives for comment.
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Jeff, who is the co-founder of high street brand Warehouse, was previously married to 1960s pop singer Sandie Shaw from 1968 to 1978 and the couple share a daughter. He was later married to make-up artist Sue Mann. He is best known for his presenting work on The Clothes Show, alongside Selina Scott and Caryn Franklin, that led to the successful Clothes Show Live event and the Clothes Show magazine.
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He has also won numerous design awards and worked with fashion houses including Vivienne Westwood’s label, following the design queen's death in December 2022. Known for his sense of flair, in 2000, Jeff was commissioned by Sainsbury’s to design clothes for its stores, and when his contract was abruptly terminated by the company in 2003, he received a settlement of £1 million plus a box of the store’s Taste The Difference Belgian truffles delivered to his home every week until the store stops making them, according to Vogue magazine.
The dapper designer, who insists he always leaves the house in clothes he has himself designed, has admitted he could “never disregard my appearance.” In an interview with the Guardian, he revealed that dressing for the occasion is very important to him: “I was invited to go fly fishing in Scotland and the first thing I did was to make myself four plus-four suits in finest tweed with matching waistcoats. I have to have the right stuff. I was worried I would turn up at this castle and be inadequately dressed."
