EastEnders Karen Taylor has become a firm fan favourite since she arrived in Albert Square.
From her messy updo to her crass sense of humour, actress Lorraine Stanley has brought the Walford resident to life with just the right amount of chaos and kindness.
Her on-screen persona has a life tinged with tragedy after Karen’s daughter Chantelle was murdered by abusive husband Gray Atkins.
Also Karen’s son Kegan Baker was left with his life hanging in the balance last week when he was attacked by racist thugs at the hands of estranged wife Tiffany Butcher’s shady new boyfriend, Aaron Monroe.
In real life, Lorraine couldn’t be further from her alter-ego, with a happy love life and a passion for boxing keeping her busy behind the scenes.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Career before EastEnders
(Image: Lorraine Stanley/Instagram)
Lorraine, 44, hails from Portsmouth but left to train for her acting career at London’s Arts Educational School.
She kicked off her career with a big-screen appearance in movie Gangster No1, making her TV debut two years later playing the role of Fran in London’s Burning.
Since then she was nominated for an ALFS Best Actress award for her portrayal of Kelly in London to Brighton in 2007, and won the Women Film Critics Circle Award alongside the rest of the cast of Suffragette for Best Ensemble.
Before landing the role of Karen she also appeared in smaller parts in big-name shows including Call the Midwife, Holby City, Casualty, The Bill, Babylon, and Doctors.
Lookalike sister
(Image: Lorraine Stanley/Instagram)
Lorraine lives in London with her boyfriend Mark Perez and often shares glimpses of their life together on her social media pages.
The adorable pair have been together since January 2014 and are parents to six-year-old daughter Nancy who they welcomed in 2015.
Lorraine also regularly posts pictures with her sisters, Donna and Karen, as she shares her personal life with fans.
Her fun posts show her and Mark making the most of life as they laugh and play with their daughter, doing everything from pressure washing the patio, to riding wild rollercoasters.
Luxurious home
(Image: Instagram/ Lorraine_stanley_)
Another aspect of her life Lorraine loves to show off on Instagram is the interior of her stunning home.
The star has recently added her very own mini-bar to the property and couldn’t wait to share it with her followers alongside the legendary Queen Vic catchphrase: “Get aaaaaat my pub!!”
Elsewhere in her home, she has a stunning landscaped garden, complete with a luxury barbecue and hot tub.
Other details she has shared include an eclectic Morrocan rug and wall art including a framed bathroom print urging guests to “have a nice poo.”
Cast friendships
Lorraine has formed some firm friendships with her cast mates, including her former on-screen son Keanu Taylor actor Danny Walters, and on-screen son in law and Gray Atkins aka Toby Alexander Smith.
She shared a snap of the trio enjoying lunch close to the Hertfordshire based EastEnders set in Borehamwood.
Lorraine wrote: “So lovely to see @danny_walters (it’s been too long!) & @toby_alexander_smith for a lovely lunch at my fave pub @thegeorgeofharpenden.”
EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday on BBC One
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
