THEY are the magnificent Walford women who have helped make EastEnders a national institution.
Now, as the soap celebrates its 40th anniversary, they have come together for a sensational look back at four decades of divas ruling Albert Square.
The longest serving of the stars is Gillian Taylforth, who appeared on the very first episode of the BBC One show when it launched in 1985.
She originally went for the role of cafe owner Sue Osman but, at 29, bosses thought she was too young, so instead they cast her as Kathy Beale.
In the new edition of Radio Times — in which the seven leading ladies appear on seven different covers — Gillian, 69, said: “The show’s producer, Julia Smith, said to us, ‘When this goes out, you’re going to become household names’.
“I told that to my mum and dad — they were people who kept your feet on the ground — and my dad said, ‘Yes, so is Domestos’.
“Kathy’s a bit more outspoken than me.
“I’m not very opinionated and I don’t like confrontations, unless I’m really pushed.
“But Kathy is very strong, bolshie, and she’s not afraid to say what she thinks.
“I wish I was a bit more like her, sometimes.
“But I protect her and if I think something’s wrong, I will say so.
“Just recently, I’ve had to say, ‘Oh, I don’t think so . . .’ because I’ve invested in her for 40 years and I love her.”
Gillian is joined by co-stars including Kellie Bright, 48 (Linda Carter); Diane Parish, 55 (Denise Fox); Balvinder Sopal, 46 (Suki Panesar-Unwin); and Letitia Dean, 57, who has also been in the show since the start as Sharon Watts — the only child of Dirty Den and Angie Watts.
Letitia, 57, reveals how expectations for the soap were initially low.
She said: “It was going to last a few months, if we were lucky.
“Then suddenly — bang!
“I was 17 when I started, but it’s still as exciting when I get a great story as it was back in 1985.
“It’s still a thrill and an honour to be trusted.
“And I’m kind of used to the crying.
“Anita (Dobson) wasn’t the original Angie, but when she came in, watching her and Leslie Grantham, who played Den, in rehearsals, you felt this surge of energy between them.
“The chemistry just worked.
“It was, and still is, TV gold.”
Also joining the line-up is Jessie Wallace, 53, who insists she had no idea how huge her character, Kat Slater, would become after arriving on the square in the year 2000.
‘We have got voices’
She said: “I came in as the troublemaker of a new family and didn’t know she would become as big as she has.
“Kat has developed over the years and I love dressing up as her.
“She makes such a statement with the red lipstick and the mini-skirts.
“To create a character that stands out, who people love, makes me very proud.”
Completing the set is Michelle Collins, who first appeared in EastEnders as Cindy Beale from 1988 to 1990, but really started causing havoc from 1992 onwards when she returned as the scheming wife of long-suffering Ian Beale.
Michelle, 62, candidly admits: “When I came back in the Nineties, I was in my early 30s and very ambitious.
“I never saw myself there for the future.
“Now I’m back, I’m happier to stay.
“I think I’m more comfortable in my own skin, more content, and I’m not running away all the time.
“I’ve certainly grown, and hopefully I’m a better actor.
“That’s in contrast to Cindy, who hasn’t changed.
“She’s still discontented and never happy with what she’s got.
“TV isn’t great for women of a certain age, but soaps are.
“What EastEnders and characters like Cindy show is we have got voices, we have got stories — and they should be heard.”
For now, though, Albert square will be echoing to the sound of the Queen Vic pub explosion, which will be the centrepiece of the 40th anniversary shows next week.
The first official images of the blast have been released by the BBC and show just how devastating it will be for the pub and the square.
It remains to be seen just how many cast members — newbies or veterans — might be departing Walford as a result . . .
ARIES
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CANCER
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