Kathy Beale actor Gillian Taylforth has opened up about her long-running EastEnders character and her time on the BBC soap opera as the show celebrates its 40th anniversary year
Long-running EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth says she wishes she was more feisty and fearless like her iconic soap character Kathy Beale. The actress has been a part of the BBC show since its first episode, firmly establishing herself as fans favourite thanks to her character’s no nonsense attitude.
Whilst she says some things – like her voice – are indistinguishable, Gillian, 69, says there are others that are quite different. “Sometimes I wish I was a bit more like Kathy – she has a lot of opinions, and I’m one of those people who sits on the fence,” admits Gillian. “I’m not that strong-minded, but she is and I love that.
“She’s got a great sense of humour, too – that’s something we share. When I’m out and about, people shout ‘Kathy!’ at me. And if people don’t recognise me to start with, as soon as I talk, they know it’s me – it’s the deep voice!”
As the show celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, so does Gillian, as one of the few stars to have survived four decades. She returned to the show in 2015 after being presumed dead since 2006, making a surprise appearance in a live episode celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary.
She came back full time and reunited with her on-screen son Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt, 56. Opening up on their tearful reunion and unbreakable bond, Gillian says they are like mum and son off set as well as on.
“I have amazing relationships with everyone at EastEnders, but there’s something special with Adam,” she said. “He’s played my son for 40 years, and he never calls me by my name, it’s always ‘Mum’, even when we’re not on set, and he’s ‘Son’ to me.
“We’ve got a close bond – he can see if I’ve forgotten my lines, and he’ll say them to remind me. The moment we reunited when Kathy came back, there were tears everywhere – it was a magical moment.”
A much-loved fan favourite, her co-stars also love Gillian, who says she’s the life and soul of the party on set. “My nickname at work is Jukebox Gilly as I’m always bursting into song!” she told.
During her 10 year break from EastEnders, mum-of-two Gillian explored other telly projects, appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Footballers’ Wives and Hollyoaks. But she says none compared to Albert Square.
“EastEnders has always been my favourite place to work,” she beamed. “I loved The Bill, Footballers’ Wives and Hollyoaks. I got to do plays and a musical and other things that were lovely. But EastEnders has always been in my heart, because that’s where I feel I became who I am.
“This wonderful character, Kathy, was always a big part of me. So when I was invited back for the 30th anniversary, I was overjoyed to have Kathy back in my life.”
Gillian has been a part of some of EastEnders’ most high-profile storylines. Kathy was the victim of rape in 1988 episodes and Gillian recalled how it had a huge impact on her. “One storyline that really stuck with me was Kathy’s rape in 1988. [Kathy was raped by bar owner James Willmott-Brown, played by William Boyde.]
“That was really dark. I went home every night to sort through the material and figure out exactly how I’d play each moment – and when you’re reading it all the time, and rehearsing, you want to forget about it straight away because it’s such an awful subject.
“But it was a great honour to be trusted with that storyline, and I wanted to do it justice. So many girls wrote in to say it had happened to them, and I knew that the show was reaching a lot of people who needed it.”
Read the full interview in the August issue of Prima today.
If you’ve been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
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