Gillian Taylforth was born on 14 August 1955 and is an English actress.
23 Facts About Gillian Taylforth
1.
2.
Gillian Taylforth has 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.
3.
Gillian Taylforth attended William Tyndale Junior School, Barnsbury Secondary School for Girls, Kingsway College of Further Education and the Anna Scher Theatre School in London.
4.
Gillian Taylforth started her acting career in the 1970s and before securing her big break she worked as a secretary between minor roles.
5.
Gillian Taylforth played the role of Sherry in the 1980 gangster film The Long Good Friday.
6.
On 19 February 1985, Gillian Taylforth appeared as Kathy Beale in the first episode of the BBC's new soap opera EastEnders.
7.
Gillian Taylforth was in the show until 1998, when she opted to leave.
8.
Gillian Taylforth made a brief return in 1999 for the storyline to aid the departure of her brother-in-law Grant, played by actor Ross Kemp.
9.
In 2005, press rumours suggested that Gillian Taylforth was returning to the show.
10.
In 2013, Gillian Taylforth said it was a mistake to 'kill off' her character and expressed an interest in coming 'back from the dead'.
11.
Gillian Taylforth revealed that former producers had wanted Kathy back in EastEnders.
12.
However on 14 November 2014, Gillian 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.
13.
On 19 February 2015, Gillian Taylforth made a surprise appearance as Kathy Beale in a live segment of the 30th anniversary episode.
14.
The BBC then confirmed Gillian Taylforth would be reprising the role of Kathy permanently.
15.
Gillian Taylforth played the role for all five series, which made her the only cast member to appear in every series without taking a break.
16.
Gillian Taylforth 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.
17.
In 2010, Gillian 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.
18.
Gillian Taylforth was the fourth person to be evicted from the house after fifteen days.
19.
Gillian Taylforth briefly reprised the role of Sandy in December 2014, but she departed again shortly afterwards.
20.
Gillian 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.
21.
Gillian Taylforth began a relationship with Geoff Knights in the late 1980s.
22.
Gillian 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.
23.
In 1995, Gillian 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.