EastEnders’ Gillian Taylforth reveals ‘dark time’ on BBC soap after ‘gruelling and scary’ storyline took its toll

EASTENDERS legend Gillian Taylforth has recalled a ‘dark time’ on the show following a harrowing storyline.

Viewers know Gillian, 69, for her iconic role as Kathy Beale in the BBC soap.

BBC

EastEnders’ Gillian Taylforth has reflected on one of Kathy’s darkest storylines[/caption]

Kieron McCarron/PA Wire

Villain James Wilmott-Brown assaulted Kathy in 1988[/caption]

Getty

Gillian has played the role on and off since 1985[/caption]

Ahead of the soap’s landmark 40th anniversary, the actress reflected on her alter-ego’s darkest storyline.

She was asked by Radio Times magazine whether any of Kathy’s experiences took a psychological toll on her personally.

The actress highlighted Kathy’s 1988 rape by James Wilmott-Brown (William Boyde) as an example.

Gillian revealed: “I remember going home with the scripts [when Kathy was raped by James Willmott-Brown in 1988] and feeling very down and sad about it all.

“Learning those lines was a dark time. And actually, when it all happened in the Dagmar [wine bar], it was quite scary.

“Then, doing the big scene in the police station, having to go through it all again… It was gruelling.”

Gillian debuted as Kathy in 1985, when the BBC show first aired on screens.

She stayed in the role until 2000 and the character was seemingly killed off-screen in 2006.

Kathy made a surprise return in the 30th anniversary – and has been back in Walford ever since.

Elsewhere, Kathy is currently embroiled in one of the BBC soap’s classic whodunnits.

An unidentified assailant hit former daughter-in-law Cindy (Michelle Collins) over the head with a shovel at Christmas.

This followed the revelation that Cindy had been cheating on Kathy’s son Ian (Adam Woodyatt).

Kathy, Ian and Ian’s son Peter (Thomas Law) are all among the official suspects.

This line-up also includes Cindy’s other ex-husband, George (Colin Salmon) and his new wife Elaine (Harriet Peacock).

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

Cindy’s former lover Junior Knight (Micah Balfour) – who happens to be George’s son – is also a suspect.

As are Cindy and George’s daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna (Molly Rainford).

Will Kathy be revealed as the mystery attacker?

EastEnders airs on BBC One and iPlayer.

BBC

Kathy and Wilmott-Brown came face to face again in 2017[/caption]

BBC

Gillian reprised the role in 2015 and has been part of the soap again ever since[/caption]