EastEnders fans floored as they discover Kathy Beale star Gillian Taylforth's real age
EastEnders viewers have been left gobsmacked after learning the real age of Gillian Taylforth. The actress, who has portrayed Kathy Beale since the very first episode of the BBC One soap in February 1985, recently celebrated her 69th birthday. At the end of the summer, the actress celebrated her birthday and was complimented by fans for her age-defying looks.
Taking to a Facebook group dedicated to EastEnders, fans wasted no time sharing their praise. One person wrote: "Happy Birthday to Gillian Taylforth who is 69 today", as another replied: "Aged really well." A second stated: "Very pretty still today", while a third chimed in: "More like 39..!!!! Some women just never seem to age.. Gillian is one those fortunate Ladies!!! She's great."
"She looks fantastic", exclaimed one fan as another questioned: "She is never 69?"
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Gillian previously opened up to The Express about her approach to healthy living. She told the newspaper: "Age is just a number and as long as I’m fit and healthy and enjoying myself, I’m happy. Perhaps that’s what helps me to look a certain way.
"I've always looked after myself fitness-wise. And I’ve always exercised and get frustrated when I can’t. I love power walking. When I get back to my dressing room, I get out my weights from my tour bag and do those for a bit. It all helps!"
In earlier days of EastEnders, Kathy was married to Peter Beale who was famed for selling his fruit and veg on Bridge Street Market. In 1998, Kathy turned her back on the Square and moved to South Africa with Ben and her new husband Gavin Sullivan. She returned for two separate guest stints in 1999 but waved goodbye to Walford in 2000.
But years later distraught Ian heard the news that Kathy and Gavin had been killed in a car crash, which was false. In 2015, Kathy made a sensational comeback to Walford and has remained a fan favourite ever since.
Last year she found herself at the center of a Christmas murder and some of her hard-hitting storylines have explored domestic violence, rape, teenage pregnancy and alcoholism among others.
It comes as EastEnders’ Nish Panesar is set to investigate The Six’s big secret, in dramatic scenes that will air this Halloween. Nish is set to grow suspicious of The Six in upcoming EastEnders scenes when he overhears a clandestine chat between Suki Panesar and Kathy Beale.
The Six’s cover up of Keanu’s murder was threatened last month during Dean Wicks’ trial, and Linda Carter ended up confessing to her crime to both the police and Bernie.
Nish investigates further, and later stumbles across the six women meeting at No.41 to remember the statements they made last Christmas.
Meanwhile, Harvey Monroe will find himself locked in a series of mysterious visits with Kathy amid his turbulent marriage.
