EastEnders Taylor family lives off-screen – Tom Hardy link, Benidorm stint and popstar

The Taylor family have become a huge part of Albert Square life since joining EastEnders in 2017.

From unexpected pregnancies to dramatic feuds with other residents, the Taylors have become firm favourites on the square among viewers – and have also brought with them plenty of shocks and drama.

One such shock was the murder of daughter Chantelle Atkins at the hands of her abusive husband Gray Atkins, with his crimes finally exposed over two years later.

This week saw Chelsea recieve a worrying letter from Gray – and it seems that he is intent on causing more havoc even though he is not on our screens any more.

While viewers wait to see what the next chapter will bring for the Taylor family, Daily Star takes a look into the lives of the actors who have played the family – past and present.

Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley)

Lorraine Stanley joined EastEnders in 2017 as Taylor matriarch Karen, and since then, has been involved in huge storylines including defending son Keanu after he got Sharon Watts pregnant and dealing with the discovery of daughter Chantelle’s body.

However away from our screens, Lorraine’s life has been far less dramatic – but just as interesting.

After making her acting debut in the film Gangster no.1 in 2000, she has since gone on to star in huge TV series and films including Suffragette, Made in Dagenham and in Krays biopic Legend, alongside heart throb Tom Hardy.

She also has a forgotten soap role in EastEnders too, as long before she walked onto Albert Square as Karen Taylor, she also played a character called Thelma Bragg for eight episodes in 2016.

Although the actress prefers to keep her personal life private, she does share occasional glimpses into her home life with partner Mark Perez, who she has been in a relationship with since 2014, and with who she has a daughter called Nancy.

Lorraine shared a beautiful snapped of her and Mark sharing a romantic meal together on Instagram, showing the happy couple smiling for the camera, with the caption: “Happy birthday to me.

“Thank you for all my lovely messages. I read them all and they mean a lot.”

Her EastEnders co-stars rushed to wish Lorraine a happy birthday too, with Keanu Taylor actor Danny Walters saying: “Happy birthday Loo.”

Maisie Smith added: “It’s the birthday b***h,” while Gurlaine Garcha added: “Happy birthday lovely lady!!!! Xxx”

Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters)

Keanu Taylor caused quite a stir soon after he arrived on Albert Square, after getting Sharon Watts pregnant – and subsequently feeling the wrath of Phil Mitchell.

After a relationship with Phil’s daughter Louise, which led to even further tension, Keanu left the square in 2020 – with no further roles as yet listed for the actor.

However a few years before actor Danny Walters took on the role of Danny Walters, he also found fame on a popular ITV comedy series.

From 2014-2017, Danny landed one of his first leading roles as Tiger Dyke in comedy series Benidorm, after appearing in programmes including Call The Midwife, Our World War and film Broken Hearts.

In his personal life, it was reported that Danny was in a long term relationship with Lily Smith for over five years from 2014, before the couple split up in 2019.

He has since gone Instagram official with reality TV star girlfriend Maddi Faircloth, who appeared in the Channel 4 series Shipmates, after sharing a snap of them cuddled up together at a spa.

A source told Daily Mail: “Danny is smitten with Maddi but wanted to keep the relationship low profile.

“It’s still early days but they enjoyed spending Christmas together and pals believe they’ll get even more serious. Everyone is chuffed to bits for them as they get on so well.”

Danny has also wowed fans with his incredible transformation, looking worlds away from his on-screen character as he posed for a photograph in Amsterdam back in March 2022.

Wearing a jacket, sunglassses and an unbuttoned shirt, he captioned the Instagram snap: “The moment you realise you’re a tourist in Amsterdam but dressed like @prattprattpratt from Jurassic World / a film director #action.”

Fans went wild for the post, with one saying: “Still best looking chap there lad,” while a second added: “Looking gorgeous.”

Bernie Taylor (Clair Norris)

Karen’s daughter Bernie Taylor has become a fan favourite since arriving on Albert Square alongside her mother in 2017, with actress Clair Norris landing her debut TV role on the soap too.

Speaking about joining the EastEnders cast, Clair told Heart: “I never in a million years thought my first TV role would be in EastEnders.

“It’s surreal but I’m ever so grateful to be given the opportunity.”

Since joining the soap, Clair has tackled some huge storylines as Bernie, including her miscarriage and agreeing to become a surrogate mother for Rainie and Stuart.

However fans became worried when Bernie was missing from the square, with soap bosses announcing that the actress was taking a break during the surrogacy storyline.

Clair later revealed that the break was planned and allowed her to complete filming work on another project, with the actress sharing an Instagram post of her wearing a mask, captioned: “Filming for job 2 finished!”

The actress has since returned to the square, where her character continues to delight fans.

In her personal life, Clair is loved up with her boyfriend of two years Lewis, with the actress regularly sharing sweet snaps of the couple on Instagram.

One photograph showed the two of them sharing drinks at a restaurant, with Clair captioning the post: “Bar crawl, drunk karaoke, winning at bowling and curry later – name a better day,” next to a heart eye emoji.

Kandice Taylor (Hannah Spearrit)

Another of Karen’s daughters to join her on Albert Square was Kandice, played by none other than pop music royalty Hannah Spearrit between 2017-2018.

Hannah is known to a generation of fans as a singer in band S Club 7, alongside stars including Dancing on Ice’s Rachel Stevens, before she branched out into the acting world.

Her first taste of acting came in S Club 7’s music videos and subsequent TV series including S Club 7 in Miami and Viva S Club, before she landed her recurring role as Abby Maitland on ITV series Primevil.

While starring on Primevil she also met ex-partner Andrew-Lee Potts, who she was engaged to from 2008-2013.

She has also previously been in a relationship with her S Club co-star Paul Cattermole from 2001-2006, and is now currently in a relationship with boyfriend Adam Thomas, with who she has two children.

Hannah is not the only famous star in her family either, as her uncle is none other than football legend Eddie Spearrit.

However after living most of her life in the limelight, the actress and singer has recently announced that she is making a career u-turn and rebranding herself as a wellness guru.

She took to Instagram to announce that she was becoming a Holistic Nutrition and Lifestyle coach, saying in the caption: “All my work is inspired with the elements and the seasons, and how we can integrate more into nature. ⁠

“Studying and developing my plans whilst bringing up my two little girls hasn’t been easy but now I’m coming to the end of my studies and our final project, it really feels like 2022 is going to be a big year for me in many ways. ⁠

“Hope you can join for the journey and maybe we could even meet if you are after support with your nutrition and wellness.”

Chantelle Atkins (Jessica Plummer)

Jessica Plummer joined EastEnders in 2019 as the daughter of Karen Taylor and Mitch Baker, Chantelle, alongside her serial killer husband Gray Atkins.

Chantelle was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her husband and was later murdered by Gray, with the character’s body discovered underneath the Argee-Barjee restaurant earlier this year.

Long before Jessica joined Albert Square though, she was already famous as a singer in chart topping girl group Neon Jungle, whose hits included Trouble, and who would later go on to support Jessie J on tour.

She soon made her way into acting however, appearing in TV series including Wizards VS Aliens and the film How To Talk To Girls At Parties.

After leaving EastEnders in 2020, she also competed in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here, and was the sixth star to be eliminated from the series.

In her personal life, Jessica has one daughter called Noa with her ex-partner.

She is also currently dating another former EastEnders star too – Ben Hardy.

She was recently photographed looking radiant alongside former Peter Beale actor Ben Hardy at the BAFTA Film Awards, after romance rumours started to circulate when they were spotted at a Jade Bird concert together in 2021.

It is reported that the stars met while working alongside one another on TV series The Girl Before, with a source telling The Sun: “Their on-screen chemistry turned into them spending off-screen time together since June.”

Gray Atkins (Toby Alexander Smith)

Gray Atkins is one of the most talked about characters on Albert Square, after his reign of terror seems to be unravelling.

Following the murders of wife Chantelle and being attacked by Kush Kazemi, he was finally arrested in dramatic scenes – putting an end to his reign of terror once and for all.

After starting his career appearing in TV series including Berlin Station and Doctors, Gray actor Toby Alexander Smith has found new levels of fame in the BBC soap.

With Gray’s crimes finally exposed, many viewers are also wondering what he will do next, with Jo Threlfall, Head of Digital PR at Embryo telling Daily Star that the actor could potentially move to another soap, saying: “Toby Alexander-Smith’s career has grown massively since his debut on Eastenders and since his dramatic departure from the soap, it has opened a window for the actor to be able to explore other options in his acting career.

“Whether that’s theatre or casting for Netflix and films Toby isn’t short for opportunities.

“Rumours have revealed that the soap star could appear alongside his partner Amy if so, he could potentially earn over £500,000 a year!”

Toby’s partner is none other than Emmerdale Tracy Metcalfe actress Amy Walsh, the sister of Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh.

The couple met while cheering on friends at the Strictly Come Dancing set in 2020, and one year later they welcomed their first child together on December 27 2021.

They named their baby girl Bonnie Mae – with Toby telling OK! Magazine that being a parent has “exceeded every expectation. It’s just amazing and really special. We’re smitten.”

In his personal life, Toby also delights fans with a hidden talent too – music, and shared a video of him on Instagram, singing a rendition of Elton John’s romantic classic Your Song.

Toby shared the video with the caption: “Throwback to a recent show I got to sing at in London thanks to @stephenrahman_hughes. I’m sure we’re all missing our usual hobbies and passions.

“Let’s stick this out and when we get to do them again, hopefully we’ll all be a bit more grateful.”

Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths)

Roger Griffiths was already a huge acting star by the time he arrived in Albert Square as Mitch Baker, the former boyfriend of Karen Taylor, in 2018.

Long before playing Mitch, he also had a forgotten soap role in EastEnders as DI Riddick from 2004-2005.

He also starred in TV series Everton Stonehead opposite comedian Lenny Henry, as well as sitcoms Chef and Desmonds, along with drama series including The Bill, Family Affairs and Death In Paradise.

Although not much is known about the actor’s personal life, it is reported that Roger is the father of three children called Troy, Tyler and Zain.

For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk