As one of the only original EastEnders cast members, Kathy Beale actress Gillian Taylforth has taken viewers on a wild ride in the soap throughout the years.
Whether it was her relationship with Phil Mitchell, or coming back to the square after everyone thought she had died in a car crash, Kathy’s storylines have left viewers on the edge of their seats.
Outside of Albert Square, actress Gillian Taylforth has had an equally interesting life, starring in some of the biggest programmes on TV, her co-star romance with another EastEnders actor and being called a MILF by her daughters friends.
Footballer’s Wives
(Image: ITV)
Aside from Kathy Beale, Gillian Taylforth has an acting career dating back nearly 50 years after first appearing as Mavis in Play for Today in 1974.
Since starring in EastEnders though, Gillian has become one of the most recognisable faces on television, with roles including Sgt.Nikki Wright in The Bill and Justine Walker MP in Casualty.
One of her most famous roles was also in the hit ITV series Footballer’s Wives from 2002-2006, opposite Gary Lucy, with both stars later going on to star in Hollyoaks.
Rival soap role
(Image: Channel 4)
While Kathy Beale might be one of Gillian’s most memorable roles, the actress has also played the matriarch of another famous family in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
She joined the soap in 2013 as the head of the Roscoe family and mother to six boys, before departing two years later when her character moved to Canada.
Announcing her departure from Hollyoaks, the star said: “I have loved the role of Sandy Roscoe playing mum to six gorgeous boys, all of whom I will miss desperately, but the time is right for me to spend more time with my own family.
“It has been enormous fun and hugely rewarding to be part of settling in a new Hollyoaks family and it fills me with pride that they have so quickly been taken to viewers’ hearts.
“I am really happy that I will still be able to pop back to check on the Roscoe boys but it’s now time for them to fend for themselves!”
Gillian has also ruled out a return to the soap in an interview with The Sun, saying: “No, no, no, I’m firmly back home [in EastEnders] where I belong.”
Co-star romance
(Image: BBC)
Since stepping onto the square in EastEnders, Kathy Beale has had her fair share of relationships, but in real life, Gillian had a co-star romance with the actor who played her on-screen stepson.
From 1985-1988, she dated EastEnders heartthrob Nick Berry, who played Simon Wicks.
Off-screen, Gillian was in a relationship with her partner Geoff Knights for over 23 years and the couple had three children together.
However, Geoff sadly died aged 58 from stomach cancer in 2013.
MILF confession
(Image: PA)
Aside from star turns in soaps and programmes such as Footballers wives, Gillian delighted fans when she took part in Celebrity Big Brother.
Viewers regularly saw her take dips into the garden hot-tub, winning her generations of admirers along the way, as she showed off her toned body.
She made a confession to Closer magazine following her appearance too, saying that some of her daughter’s friends called her a MILF.
“My daughter Jessica, who’s 21, told me some of her male friends said I was a MILF after they saw me in CBB.
“It’s really embarrassing – I didn’t know what she meant at first and, when she did tell me, I nearly died!”
She added: “It really shocks me that people think I’m sexy! I’ve never seen myself like that.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
