Gillian Taylforth joins Hollyoaks

Gillian Taylforth has joined the cast of Hollyoaks, it has been confirmed.

The actress, who recently took part in Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother, will play the mother of five brothers who descend upon Hollyoaks’ village.

Gillian is already well known to soap audiences, having played the popular character of Kathy Beale in EastEnders from 1985 until 2000. Salt of the earth Kath was killed off off-screen in 2006 to the dismay of fans.

The actress recently told a tabloid that the EastEnders bosses have told her they consider Kathy’s demise as one of the biggest mistakes they have ever made.

 “They were asking if I could think of any way Kathy could return even though she’s been killed off.

 

“One of the executive ­producers, John Yorke, told me that ­killing off Kathy was the biggest mistake they’ve ever made. – Taylforth, quoted by the Daily Star

After EastEnders, the actress went on to have regular roles in ITV dramas Footballers Wives and The Bill.

It has also been confirmed that Gemma Bissix, who played one of Hollyoaks‘ most notorious villains Clare Devine, will be making a comeback to Hollyoaks.

Bissix previously played the evil Clare between 2006-2007, before briefly reprising the role in 2009 as part of Warren Fox’s (Jamie Lomas) leaving storyline.