EastEnders' Kathy Beale: The SCANDAL That Humiliated Gillian Taylforth

She was one of the original stars of EastEnders. But behind Kathy Beale's familiar face was one of the most extraordinary celebrity scandals of the 1990s. What REALLY happened to Gillian Taylforth? In 1992, a police officer made an allegation about Gillian and her long-term partner Geoff Knights following an incident involving their Range Rover. The couple denied the officer's account. Determined to defend their reputations, they took legal action against a national newspaper. But the case would become a sensational courtroom spectacle. Private details emerged. A recording from Gillian's past was discussed in court. And when the jury delivered its verdict, Gillian was left facing a reported legal bill of approximately £500,000. Then came the moment that shocked Britain. Gillian collapsed in court and was taken to hospital. But the controversy surrounding her private life was far from over. Further court proceedings involving her partner, reports of a troubling domestic incident and more unwanted publicity would follow. Yet Gillian Taylforth's story is not simply one of scandal. Against the odds, she continued her acting career and eventually returned to the soap that made her famous. In this documentary, we explore the extraordinary real-life story behind one of EastEnders' original stars. Do you remember the Gillian Taylforth courtroom scandal? Did you watch Kathy Beale when EastEnders first began in 1985? Share your memories in the comments. Subscribe for more extraordinary stories about the real lives behind Britain's most famous soap characters. #EastEnders #GillianTaylforth #KathyBeale