'Fantasist' husband of ex-model who starred in UK's first TV ad tried to kill her because his business was failing

By Luke Salkeld

Glamour: Joan Nunn in the 1950s. Her husband tried to kill her by suffocating the former model with a pillow


Former model who starred in Britain's first TV advert fought off her 'fantasist' husband as he tried to suffocate her in her sleep, a court heard.

Joan Nunn, 80, woke to find her 63-year-old husband Peter - who was facing financial ruin - smothering her with a pillow.

Mrs Nunn became famous when her minute-long advert for Gibbs SR toothpaste was shown on September 22, 1955.

It was the first commercial to be broadcast on the launch-day of ITV and showed the then 25-year-old Mrs Nunn brushing her teeth in an orderly up-and-down manner to promote the 'tingling fresh' taste.

Her modelling career also saw her photographed by David Bailey and appear in Vanity Fair and Vogue.

Bristol Crown Court was told that shortly after the murder attempt, Mrs Nunn's husband phoned his GP and said he had planned to kill his wife before cutting his own wrists.

It emerged that Nunn had established himself as a pillar of his local community based on a series of lies about his past.

He persuaded friends and family - and his wife - that he had earned military honours and had served with the Special Forces.

He went on to become heavily involved with his local Rotary Club in Wookey, Somerset, but behind the scenes his pensions business was crumbling and the couple were living far beyond their means.

It is thought Nunn hatched the murder plot because he couldn't face the humiliation of being found out.

After his arrest in May last year he denied attempted murder, refused to speak to detectives and has not had any subsequent contact with his wife.

The couple married in 1976 and it is believed Mrs Nunn has a son from a previous marriage.

Nunn had denied attempted murder but changed his plea to guilty at the last minute.
Speaking after the hearing, Detective Constable Karen Miles said: 'Nunn was trying to live a lifestyle that he simply couldn't afford to maintain.


'Fantasist': Rotary club secretary Peter Nunn (left) tried to murder his wife after financial problems left them facing ruin


'He was becoming increasingly in debt and refused to admit this to his wife, who was oblivious to their perilous financial position.

'[He] researched methods of suicide on the internet before attempting to kill his wife.

'Fortunately, Mrs Nunn woke up as he was smothering her with a pillow in the middle of the night at their family home.

'Mrs Nunn has been left extremely traumatised by the whole affair and is understandably devastated their relationship was built on a lie.'

Defending Nunn, Ian Pringle said the husband had been transferred to a mental institution immediately after the attack and was then remanded in custody.

'He has been desperately trying to come to terms with what he did,' he added.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC adjourned sentencing for psychiatric reports.


source: dailymail