Gillian Taylforth | Known For: Eastenders, On Air For 36 Years

Gillian Taylforth started her career in the ’70s, and before her big break, she worked as a secretary in between minor roles. She also worked in a few comedy shows back in the day and even won the role of Sherry in the film The Long Good Day, which proved her unmatched acting skills.

Bouncing back to that big break we mentioned, it came on EastEnders with the role of Kathy Beale. Now 65, she started working in the soap in 1985 although, her character was presumed dead in 2006. However, she returned in 2015 for the 30th-anniversary episode of the show and has rejoined the regular cast since then.