Gillian Taylforth

Gillian Taylforth
Taylforth in 2022
Born (1955-08-14) 14 August 1955 (age 69)
Islington, London, England[1]
OccupationActress
Years active1974–present
Television
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
PartnerGeoff Knights (1988–2009)
Children2
RelativesKim Taylforth (sister)

Gillian Taylforth (born 14 August 1955) is an English actress. She is known for her role as Kathy Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as well as appearing as Jackie Pascoe on ITV's Footballers' Wives (2002–2006) and Sgt. Nikki Wright in ITV's The Bill (2006–2008). She has also appeared in film during her early career, has presented on ITV's Loose Women and appeared as a celebrity contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.

In January 2013, she was a contestant in Celebrity Big Brother. Later that year, she began portraying Sandy Roscoe on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, making her final appearance in January 2015.[2][3][4] Despite her EastEnders character being presumed dead after being killed off-screen in 2006, Taylforth made a shock return to the show in February 2015 as part of the 30th anniversary episode. The BBC later confirmed that she would reprise the role of Kathy permanently later in the year and she has appeared regularly from August 2015.[5]

Early life

Taylforth attended William Tyndale Junior School, Barnsbury Secondary School for Girls, Kingsway College of Further Education and the Anna Scher Theatre School in London.[6]

Career

She started her acting career in the 1970s and before securing her big break she worked as a secretary between minor roles. Early television appearances include roles in the BBC comedy Hi-de-Hi!, Shelley, Play for Today, On Safari, Minder, Sink or Swim and The Rag Trade. She played the role of Sherry in the 1980 gangster film The Long Good Friday.

EastEnders

On 19 February 1985, Taylforth appeared as Kathy Beale in the first episode of the BBC's new soap opera EastEnders. This role earned her huge popularity and public recognition on British television. Taylforth was in the show until 1998, when she opted to leave. During her time on the show, Taylforth's character covered an array of serious issues including rape, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, divorce, alcoholism and meningitis.

Kathy is one of the longest running characters to feature in the soap. She made a brief return in 1999 for the storyline to aid the departure of her brother-in-law Grant, played by actor Ross Kemp. Kathy left Albert Square again on 6 January 2000.

In 2005, press rumours suggested that Taylforth was returning to the show.[7] However, this did not occur and the character of Kathy died off-screen in February 2006 in a car crash in South Africa. Taylforth later commented: "I was a bit upset at first because it was 13 years of my life and I didn't like the thought of being killed off. I thought she might come back to see Ian (her on-screen son) and have some illness. But that's the way it goes."[8]

In 2013, Taylforth said it was a mistake to 'kill off' her character and expressed an interest in coming 'back from the dead'.[9][10] She also revealed that former producers had wanted Kathy back in EastEnders. At the time, an EastEnders spokesman said that producers had no plans to bring back Kathy Beale. However on 14 November 2014, Taylforth reprised the role of Kathy for a Children In Need special in which Ian knocks his head and sees visions of the deceased women in his life.

On 19 February 2015, Taylforth made a surprise appearance as Kathy Beale in a live segment of the 30th anniversary episode. It was revealed that she had not died but instead faked her own death in South Africa in 2006. The BBC then confirmed Taylforth would be reprising the role of Kathy permanently. Kathy then made another guest appearance in May before returning in August on a regular basis.[5] The BBC revealed the screen age of the character Kathy Beale, as 70 years old, in an episode broadcast in 2020.[11]

Other work and roles

After leaving EastEnders in 1998, Taylforth was cast as Jackie Pascoe-Webb in ITV's television drama, Footballers' Wives. In a Channel 4 poll for the 100 Greatest Sexy Moments, a time where she ends up having sex on top of a snooker table with Cristian Solimeno was placed at number 49. She played the role for all five series, which made her the only cast member to appear in every series without taking a break. (Zöe Lucker also appeared in all five series, but left midway through the 4th series before returning towards the end of the final one.) She also appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank in 2001.[12]

In 2006, she played the role of Mandy Searle in the comedy/drama Jane Hall and she also has appeared as a recurring panellist on ITV's topical chat-show Loose Women (2000, 2006 and 2008). She had a regular part in ITV's police drama The Bill playing Sergeant Nikki Wright, and made her first screen appearance on 8 November 2006.[13] Taylforth left the role in 2008. In 2010, Taylforth took over in the theatre tour of Mum's The Word from Bernie Nolan after she left when her cancer was diagnosed for a second time. The tour also starred Coronation Street actresses Tracy Shaw and Sally Ann Matthews and was directed by Taylforth's EastEnders colleague Andrew Lynford. She also made several pantomime appearances around this time.

In January 2013, she became a housemate on the eleventh series of Celebrity Big Brother. She was the fourth person to be evicted from the house after fifteen days.

In February 2013, it was announced that she had joined the cast of British soap opera Hollyoaks as matriarch of the Roscoe family, Sandy Roscoe.[14] After just over a year in the role, Taylforth announced her decision to leave the role of Sandy to spend more time with her family. She departed on-screen on 22 August 2014.[4] Taylforth briefly reprised the role of Sandy in December 2014, but she departed again shortly afterwards.

Strictly Come Dancing

Taylforth was partnered with Anton Du Beke in the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2008, but was voted off in Week 2 after a dance-off with Jodie Kidd. It later emerged that Taylforth had suffered torn knee ligaments whilst in training for the live shows, but chose to dance regardless.[15]

Week # Dance/Song Judges' score Result
Horwood Phillips Goodman Tonioli Total
2 Foxtrot / "Razzle Dazzle" 4 5 7 6 22 Eliminated

Personal life

Taylforth is the sister of actress Kim Taylforth. During her time in EastEnders, she dated her fellow castmate Nick Berry, who played Simon Wicks.[16] She began a relationship with Geoff Knights in the late 1980s. The couple lived in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire and later in Arrington, Cambridgeshire. She gave birth to their daughter in 1992. In 1996 she suffered a miscarriage, and less than a year later doctors told her that the baby she was carrying had severe abnormalities and she was advised to terminate the pregnancy."[8] In 1999, she became a mother for a second time.

Knights and Taylforth had an extensive tabloid media history. In January 1994, Taylforth was involved in a high-profile court case when she sued The Sun newspaper for libel after they ran a story claiming she and Knights had performed sexual acts on a slip road on the A1 in their Range Rover.[17] Taylforth claimed that her partner had suffered an acute attack of pancreatitis and she was merely massaging his stomach to soothe his abdominal pain; however, a police officer claimed that she was performing fellatio instead. During the court case, The Sun's defence counsel, George Carman QC, entered into evidence a 35-minute home video of Taylforth "suggestively posing with a large sausage [...] graphically simulating masturbation with a wine bottle" and boasting to the camera, "I give very good head".[18] The jury returned a 10–2 majority verdict in favour of The Sun, after which Taylforth collapsed and was taken away by an ambulance.[18]

In 1995, Taylforth wrote an autobiography entitled Kathy and Me in which she describes her childhood, her teenage years, her first forays into acting and her lifestyle.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1978 The One and Only Phyllis Dixey Girl in café
Twenty Times More Likely Sandy
Golden Gala Herself
1980 The Long Good Friday Sherry
1984 Stars of the Roller State Disco Kiosk typist
1989 One Day in the Life of Television Herself
1998 Big Cat Polly
EastEnders: The Mitchells – Naked Truths Kathy Beale
2001 I Love Christmas Herself
2003 Life After The Square
2004 Footballer's Wives Exposed Jackie Pascoe
2005 Greatest Before They Were Stars TV Moments Woolworths Advert
2005 ITV 50 Greatest Shows Herself
2007 Sex on Trial: The Soapstar Story Herself
2008 Let Loose... The Very Best of 'Loose Women'
2009 Almost Famous II Herself
2009 Donny & Marie: Las Vegas Live
2010 EastEnders: Last Tango in Walford Kathy Beale
2011 EastEnders: Greatest Exits
2013 The British Soap Awards 2013: The Party Herself
2014 The Ghosts of Ian Beale Kathy Beale
2015 EastEnders: Backstage with Zoe Ball & Joe Swash Herself
2016 Bobby Beale: The Story So Far Kathy Beale
2017 June Brown at 90: A Walford Legend Herself
2018 The Best of EastEnders Kathy Beale
2020 The Big Night In
2022 'Allo 'Allo! Forty Years of Laughter

Television

Year Title Role Note
1974 Play for Today Mavis Episode: "Eleanor"
1975 Zigger Zagger Sandra Regular role, 2 episodes
1976 Plays for Britain Maureen Episode: "Fast Hands"
1977–1978 The Rag Trade Lyn Regular role, 22 episodes
1978 Somebody's Daughter Student 5 episodes
1979 Thundercloud Wren Jepson Episode: "An English Gentleman"
Shelley Cashier Episode: "Moving In"
1980 Watch This Space Brenda Regular role, 6 episodes
Shelley Nurse Rowlands Episode: "Tea and Sympathy"
1981 Hi De Hi! Rose Episode: "Desire in the Mickey Mouse Grotto"
Big Jim and the Figaro Club Dishmop Episode: "The Pursuit of Courtly Love"
Sink or Swim Christine 2 episodes
1982 Scene Sandra Episode: "Ties"
On Safari Herself Regular role, 30 episodes
1984 Minder Girl in Pub Episode: "Senior Citizen Caine"
The Gentle Touch Mary Felix Episode: "Do It Yourself"
1985–2000, 2015–present EastEnders Kathy Beale Regular role
1986 Just Another Day Herself Episode: "EastEnders"
1986, 1988 Wogan 2 episodes
1986–1989, 2001 Blankety Blank 5 episodes
1988 The Noel Edmonds Saturday Roadshow Episode: "Series 1, episode 8"
1989 Give Us a Clue Episode: "Series 16, episode 3"
1993 Dimensions in Time Kathy Beale Charity crossover between Doctor Who and EastEnders
That's Showbusiness Herself Episode: "Series 5, episode 12"
1994, 1997, 1999, 2002–2003 This Is Your Life 5 episodes
1995 Auntie's Bloomers Kathy Beale Episode: "Auntie's New Bloomers 2"
The Weekend Show Herself Episode: "Series 1, episode 3"
Littlejohn Live and Uncut Episode: "19 May 1995"
1996 The Big Breakfast Episode: "18 April 1996"
1998 Operation Good Guys Episode: "Holiday"
Lost in France Carol Episode: "Lost in France"
Late Lunch Herself Episode: "Series 1, episode 14"
1999, 2013, 2015–2016, 2022–2023 The British Soap Awards 6 episodes
1999 Television's Greatest Hits Episode: "Series 3, episode 8"
Winton's Wonderland Episode: "Series 1, episode 2"
2000 Fish Lucy Waters Episode: "Love's Labour's Lost"
The Knock Anne Gilbraith Episode: "Series 5, episode 4"
2000, 2005–2006, 2008–2010, 2016 Loose Women Herself Regular panellist
2000 Happy Birthday EastEnders Episode: "Series 1, episode 5"
Star Secrets Episode: "Series 1, episode 8"
2001 Messiah Helen Warren Regular role, 2 episodes
McCready and Daughter Diane Ryder Episode: "Hobgoblin"
Celebrity Ready, Steady, Cook Herself Episode: "6 May 2001"
Stars and Their Lives Episode: "Mike Reid"
2002 The House That Jack Built Maxine Squire Regular role, 6 episodes
Messiah 2: Vengeance Is Mine Helen Warren Regular role, 2 episodes
2002–2006 Footballers' Wives Jackie Pascoe Regular role, 38 episodes
2002 Casualty Justine Walker MP 2 episodes
V Graham Norton Herself Episode: "Series 1, episode 34"
GMTV Episode: "2 August 2002"
2004 This Morning Episode: "11 February 2004"
2004–2005 Richard & Judy 2 episodes
2005 New Tricks Emma Winters Episode: "Eyes Down for a Full House"
2006 Jane Hall Mandy Searle Regular role, 6 episodes
2006–2008 The Bill Sgt. Nikki Wright Regular role, 56 episodes
2006, 2009 The Paul O'Grady Show Herself 2 episodes
2008 Strictly Come Dancing 6 episodes
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 2 episodes
Celebrity Ding Dong Episode: "Series 2, episode 1"
2009 Casualty Gloria Episode: "Parent Trap"
2009–2010 Missing Judy Waverley Episode: "Series 2, episode 6"
2009 Ready, Steady, Cook Herself Episode: "Series 20, episode 6"
2009–2010 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 2 episodes
2010 EastEnders: The Greatest Cliffhangers Kathy Beale Episode: "Series 1, episode 2"
Breakfast Herself Episode: "19 February 2010"
2012 Daybreak 13 episodes
2013 Celebrity Big Brother 19 episodes
2013–2015 Hollyoaks Sandy Roscoe Regular role, 161 episodes
2013 The Wright Stuff Herself Episode: "Series 18, episode 11"
Big Brother's Bit on the Side 18 episodes
Stitch Me, Lift Me, Tuck Me Episode: "Series 1, episode 8"
2017 Lorraine Episode: "7 November 2017"
2020 EastEnders: Secrets from the Square Kathy Beale 4 episodes
Herself Episode: "Kathy and Ian"
The One Show Episode: "17 February 2020"
2022–2023 The National Television Awards 2 episodes
2023 EastEnders: The Six

Theatre Credits

Year Title Role Notes
1988–1989 Aladdin The Genie Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon
2003 Bad Blood Catherine Churchill Theatre, Bromley
2005–2006 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Wicked Queen Swansea Grand Theatre
2010 Mum's The Word Robin UK Tour
2010–2011 Cinderella Fairy Godmother Broxburne Civic Theatre
2011–2012 Girls Night Carol UK Tour

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2007 TVQuick & TVChoice Awards Best Actress The Bill Nominated [19]
2017 Inside Soap Awards Outstanding Achievement EastEnders Won [20]

References

  1. ^ "England & Wales births 1837–2006 Transcription". Retrieved 30 September 2015 – via Find My Past.
  2. ^ "Celebrity Big Brother 2013 unveils new housemates". Digital Spy. 3 January 2013.
  3. ^ "POTD: 'Hollyoaks' debut for Sandy Roscoe". Digital Spy. 22 May 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Hollyoaks exit for Sandy Roscoe". Digital Spy. 9 March 2014.
  5. ^ a b "EastEnders Live: Kathy Beale returns". Digital Spy. 19 February 2015.
  6. ^ Who's Who On Television. Michael Joseph/ITV books. 1982. ISBN 978-0-900727-95-5.
  7. ^ "KAFFY COME HOME Archived 7 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine", Sunday Mirror. URL last accessed on 2006-10-16.
  8. ^ a b Higney, Claire (28 February 2006). "Gillian Taylforth: I still feel like I'm 30". The Mirror. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  9. ^ Metro.co.uk, Amy Duncan for (30 June 2011). "Gillian Taylforth 'keen for EastEnders comeback to work with David Essex'".
  10. ^ "Taylforth: 'Kathy Beale would sort out Mitchell'". Digital Spy. 3 October 2010.
  11. ^ Tutton, Charlotte (17 October 2020). "EastEnders viewers in disbelief as they discover Kathy Beale is 70 years old". mirror. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  12. ^ Lily Savage's Blankety Blank. 18 February 2001. ITV. Repeated 25 August 2016 on Challenge TV.
  13. ^ "Gillian Taylforth joins 'The Bill'", Digital Spy. URL last accessed on 2006-10-16.
  14. ^ "Gillian Taylforth joins 'Hollyoaks' cast". 4 February 2013.
  15. ^ "I TELL MY DAUGHTER THAT TESTS SAVE LIVES". The Daily Express. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2009.
  16. ^ Kingsley, Hilary (1990). The EastEnders Handbook. BBC books. ISBN 978-0-563-36292-0.
  17. ^ "Victims of the 'silver fox'". BBC News. 29 August 2000. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  18. ^ a b Carman, Dominic (24 April 2007). "Silly sausage... the video that destroyed her case". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  19. ^ "Welcome to the TVQuick & TVChoice Awards 2007!". TV Quick. H Bauer Publishing. Archived from the original on 3 June 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  20. ^ Dainty, Sophie (6 November 2017). "Emmerdale wins best soap at the Inside Soap Awards for the third year running". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 6 November 2017.