​A respected Somerset Rotary Club member has admitted trying to murder his elderly wife, a glamorous former TV model.

Former model Joan Nunn awoke to find herself being smothered with a pillow held by her husband Peter Nunn at their village home in Wookey, near Wells, a court heard.

Mrs Nunn, who starred in the first-ever ITV advertisement, managed to struggle free. A few hours later, Nunn, 63, a former secretary of Wells Rotary Club and a prominent figure in the area, phoned his GP to say he had tried to kill his wife.

Police say he had huge problems with debt that he had hidden from her while trying to maintain their lifestyle. Mrs Nunn launched her career as a model as the face of Gibbs SR toothpaste, making television history when she starred in the first commercial to be screened on ITV in 1955. She was held in high regard, photographed by a young David Bailey and appeared in fashion magazines Vogue and Vanity Fair.

Mrs Nunn, known as Margaret, is said to have made a full physical recovery but was psychologically harmed by her ordeal.

The couple, who have been married for 33 years, have not spoken since and Nunn has never apologised. His background is unclear as much of his life appears to have been based on lies.

Nunn appeared smartly dressed in a grey suit to stand trial for attempted murder at Bristol Crown Court yesterday but instead pleaded guilty. He will be sentenced at a later date.

He had worked in finance but also purported to have worked as a barrister, also falsely claiming to be ex-military and a former spy.

He is also well-known locally as an accomplished chef, competing in several regional cookery competitions and is a previous finalist in South West Chef of the Year.

Ian Pringle, defending, told the court: “It’s just over eight months since the terrible events of that evening in May took place. He was immediately admitted to a mental institution and subsequently he was remanded in custody.”

They tried to maintain a lifestyle but were slowly sinking in debt.

Mr Pringle said his client had thought long and hard about his position during his time at Dorchester Prison and it had taken time for him to come to terms with what he had done.

He invited Judge Jamie Tabor QC to sentence his client.

However, adjourning the case, Judge Tabor said he wanted to know more about Nunn and his mental health.

He added: “I acknowledge, as your counsel has rightly pointed out, that this was a very difficult decision to make. You are not very familiar with the court process. I will deal with you in the next 28 days. I direct that a probation report is prepared in order for matters to be explained more fully.”

Speaking after the hearing, officer in the case Detective Constable Karen Mines, based at Yeovil, said Nunn had tried to smother his wife with a pillow in the night on May 27 last year.

“They tried to maintain a lifestyle but were slowly sinking in debt. He researched suicide on the internet. In May she woke with a pillow over her face. He phoned his GP a few hours later to say he had tried to kill his wife,” said DC Mines.

Detective Sergeant Lee Jones, said Nunn had kept their financial situation to himself. He said the couple were due to be evicted from their home and debt had become a burden to the point he “decided to take his wife with him”.