The actress also had tips on how to keep looking young

 

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows a woman in a sequined off the shoulder dress smiles for the camera

 

EASTENDERS star Gillian Taylforth has been spilling the beans on the secret to her age-defying appearance.

Actress Gillian, 69, debuted as Kathy Beale in the BBC soap’s very first episode, which aired in February 1985, and still looks the same.

Gillian Taylforth in a white jumpsuit, sitting in a wicker chair.

Actress Gillian Taylforth has revealed the secret to her age-defying lookCredit: Prima UK / Nicky Johnston

a woman with blonde hair and a leopard print collar smiles for the camera

Gillian began playing the role of Kathy Beale in 1985Credit: PA:Press Association

a woman in a blue sweater stands in front of a window

The soap star returned to the Square in 2015Credit: BBC

Gillian Taylforth in a yellow suit for Prima magazine.

Gillian has been spilling her beauty secretsCredit: Prima UK / Nicky Johnston
Talking about her timeless look in the August issue of Prima magazine, Gillian – who turns 70 that month – 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.”

Gillian also spilled her secrets to looking fab, and how others can also stay young.

“I always fill my water bottle with different fruits. Every morning, I have hot water and lemon and a detox tea bag,” the actress told the magazine.

“I’m disciplined with what I eat, but I don’t deny myself and I’m meticulous with my skincare.

“I also love keeping fit. I have a gym at home, but my schedule sometimes means I’m up at 5am, so I can’t always make it work.

“But I feel very lethargic if I don’t do anything, so I have weights and a treadmill in my dressing room, so I can do a quick workout.”

PRAISE FROM FANS

Gillian has previously been praised for her youthful looks by fans.

Watch shocking moment Kathy Beale snogs new lover behind his partner’s back in EastEnders
When the actress celebrated her 69th birthday last August, fans showered praise on her on an EastEnders-dedicated online group.

One wrote: “69? More like 39..!!!! Some women just never seem to age.. Gillian is one those fortunate Ladies!!! She’s great.”

Another stated: “Aged really well”, as a fellow fan chimed in with: “Very pretty still today”.

EASTENDERS FAME

Gillian’s original Walford stint as spanned from 1985 to 2000.

During this tenure, her character Kathy featured in hard-hitting storylines exploring domestic violence, rape, teenage pregnancy and alcoholism among others.

In 2006, fans thought the character met her end after supposedly being killed in a road accident in South Africa.

Gillian Taylforth and Todd Carty in a scene from a BBC television program.
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Gillian’s character Kathy has been involved in some emotional storylines on EastEnders – seen here in 1999Credit: BBC
However, almost a decade later, Kathy was revealed to be alive in one of the soap’s biggest twists.

Her “demise” was actually an insurance scam concocted by controlling husband Gavin Sullivan (Paul Nicholas), who also faked his death.

Gillian appeared in several other shows during her time away from EastEnders.

 

Notably, she portrayed Sandy Roscoe in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2013 to 2015.

Gillian also starred in the hit noughties drama, Footballers’ Wives.