EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth wishes she was more like feisty Kathy Beale
With the show nearing its 40th anniversary, EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth has revealed she wishes she was as "strong-minded" and decisive as her character Kathy Beale in real life.
Gillian Taylforth wishes she was more like her EastEnders character Kathy Beale.
The 69-year-old actress has portrayed the character since the BBC soap’s debut in 1985, and has now admitted she wishes she was as “strong-minded” and assertive as Kathy in real life.
Speaking with the Daily Mirror newspaper, Gillian said: “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. 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!”
Gillian - who left EastEnders after her character Kathy was presumed dead in 2006, before returning to the soap in 2015 - added she has “amazing relationships” with her fellow soap stars, and shares “something special” with Adam Woodyatt, who plays her on-screen son Ian Beale.
She said: “I have amazing relationships with everyone at EastEnders, but there's something special with Adam.
“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.”
During her time away from EastEnders, Gillian worked on other TV shows like Hollyoaks, Celebrity Big Brother and Footballers’ Wives, though was glad to return to Walford.
She gushed: “EastEnders has always been my favourite place to work. 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.”
