Trivia

Was originally chosen to play Sue Osman in EastEnders (1985) before producers decided to cast her as the younger character Kathy Beale and Sandy Ratcliff as Sue.

As of 2022 she is the 3rd-longest serving actress in the history of EastEnders (1985) (tied with Natalie Cassidy, and behind only June Brown, and a tied Pam St. Clement and Letitia Dean), having played the character Kathy Beale for a total of 22 years (initially from 1985 until 2000, and then from 2015 onwards).

Appeared in a 1983 public information film urging motorists not to drink and drive with the slogan "Fancy a jar, forget the car".

Was in a long-term relationship with Geoff Knights from November 1986 to June 2009. During their time together they had a daughter, Jessica Rae (born February 1992), and a son, Harrison Knights (born April 1999).

Sister of Kim Taylforth.

Attended The Anna Scher Theatre School.

Is just 13 years older than Adam Woodyatt, who plays her son on EastEnders (1985).

Was in a relationship with her EastEnders (1985) co-star Nick Berry (1985-1986).

Is one of 23 EastEnders (1985) actors to compete in Strictly Come Dancing (2004). The others, in chronological order, are Christopher Parker (Spencer Moon), Jill Halfpenny (Kate Mitchell), Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson), Louisa Lytton (Ruby Allen), Letitia Dean (Sharon Rickman), Matt Di Angelo (Deano Wicks), Phil Daniels (Kevin Wicks), Jessie Wallace (Kat Moon), Zöe Lucker (Vanessa Gold), Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs), Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler), Jimi Mistry (Fred Fonesca), Scott Maslen (Jack Branning), Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann), Anita Dobson (Angie Watts), Sid Owen (Ricky Butcher), Jake Wood (Max Branning), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter), Tameka Empson (Kim Fox-Hubbard), Davood Ghadami (Kush Kazemi), Charles Venn (Ray Dixon), and Lee Ryan (Woody Woodward).

Became pregnant by her partner Geoff another twice; she suffered a miscarriage in 1996 and then went on to have an abortion in 1997 after a scan showed that her unborn child was deformed.

Currently lives in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire with her two children.

Was 7 months pregnant with her daughter Jessica when she took maternity leave from filming EastEnders (1985).

Returned to work 2 months after giving birth to her daughter Jessica to resume filming EastEnders (1985).

Ranked #10 in the 100 Greatest EastEnders (1985) Characters of All Time for her performance as Kathy Mitchell (2010).

Returned to work 3 months after giving birth to her son Harrison to begin filming her guest return to EastEnders (1985).

Delivered her children Jessica and Harrison both via Caesarean section.

Ranked #13 in The 100 Greatest EastEnders (1985) Characters of All Time for her performance as Kathy Mitchell.

Has been in a relationship with David Fairbairn since July 2012 and engaged since January 2013.

Her EastEnders (1985) character Kathy Mitchell became the 7th woman on the soap opera to give birth. Kathy had a son Ben (played initially by Charlie Jones, then Joshua Pascoe, and late Harry Reid), born on March 21, 1996.

Daughter of Ronald Frederick Taylforth (1931-1991) and Margaret Doris Borer (1933-2003).

Was a former secretary.

Joined Eastenders when 28.