Gillian Taylforth left fans in shock as she showcased her age-defying looks on the red carpet at Wednesday night’s National TV Awards.
The EastEnders star, 70, looked sensational in a one-shouldered purple gown as she hit the event in style alongside her fellow cast members.
Her character Kathy Beale, whose age is around 75 following her 70th birthday celebrations in a 2020 episode – is mother to Ian Beale – played by Adam Woodyatt, 57 – a fact that viewers could not believe thanks to her ageless appearance.
Following the awards, fans took to X to pen: ‘The ageless Gillian Taylforth she truly gets younger every year… Gillian Taylforth always looks so stunning… She will be 5 years old in 2028… Great actress. Hilariously funny too’.
In the past, Gillian’s looks have got tongues wagging – with the 13 years between her and her on-screen son often leaving fans marvelling.
Gillian Taylforth left fans in shock as she showcased her age-defying looks on the red carpet at Wednesday night’s National TV Awards
Her character Kathy Beale, whose age is around 75 following her 70th birthday celebrations in a 2020 episode – is mother to Ian Beale – played by Adam Woodyatt, 57 – a fact that viewers could not believe thanks to her ageless appearance
Following the awards, fans took to X to pen: ‘The ageless Gillian Taylforth she truly gets younger every year… Gillian Taylforth always looks so stunning… She will be 5 years old in 2028… Great actress. Hilariously funny too’
Fans previously noted: ‘Just clicked on #EastEnders for first time in well …. years. How does Cathy look the same in 2024 as she did in 1985?…
‘thank you. Cindy looks older. Sharon looks older. Ian, Cathy’s son looks older. David Wicks looks older. Cathy looks exactly the same as when she was married to Pete Beale in 1985, how does she do that !’
Gillian previously described EastEnders as her ‘favourite’ place to work and said she was thrilled when she made her return in 2015 despite being presumed dead.
She said: ‘EastEnders has always been in my heart, because that’s where I feel I became who I am. This wonderful character, Kathy, was always a big part of me’.
Gillian said she has very strong relationships with the cast and sweetly revealed her on-screen son Adam even calls her ‘mum’ off-screen.
She went on: We’ve got a close bond – he can see if I’ve forgotten my lines, and he’ll say them to remind me. The moment we reunited when Kathy came back, there were tears everywhere–it was a magical moment.’
Gillian’s character Kathy is one of the soap’s longest-running characters, having graced the screen since the very first episode in 1985.
She was first written out in 1998 when Gillian decided to quit, but made several short-lived returns until Kathy was eventually killed off in a car crash abroad in 2006.
Fans previously noted: ‘Just clicked on #EastEnders for first time in well …. years. How does Cathy look the same in 2024 as she did in 1985?’
She looked phenomenal in the ensemble
Adam and Gillian posed for a snap together behind the scenes
The duo are pictured in character in 2021
Gillian’s character Kathy is one of the soap’s longest-running characters, having graced the screen since the very first episode in 1985 (pictured with Nick Berry and Gretchen Franklin)
However, she was invited back for the 30th anniversary episodes in a shock return as it emerged she had faked her own death in a major plot twist.
Gillian has remained a staple of the BBC soap opera ever since and still features as the formidable Kathy four decades after first joining the show.
Earlier this year, Gillian revealed the secrets to her ageless looks. She revealed that she only maintains her self-care for herself and gave an insight into her fitness regime and her top tips for maintaining a glowing complexion.
Kathy was killed off in a car crash abroad in 2006, but made a shock return in 2015 after it emerged she had faked her own death, and she has been a staple on the show ever since
Gillian is pictured in 2000
She said: ‘It’s very nice if people say lovely comments about how I look, but I don’t do it for anyone other than myself…
‘Self-care helps me feel good about myself. I am getting older, and I do notice changes, but for me, I just want to maintain my appearance for as long as can. And if it all falls flat very soon, there’s not much I could do about it.’
In 2015, Gillian opted for a ‘non-surgical face lift’ ahead of her 60th birthday and was treated by Dr Aamer Khan at the Harley Street Skin Clinic.
She opted for procedure which uses dissolvable polylactic acid thread to remove wrinkles, which costs around £2,000 and takes about half an hour.
