July 24th 2024.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the legendary Roberta Taylor at the age of 76. The news of her death has left the EastEnders family and fans in mourning. Taylor had been battling emphysema and a recent fall had worsened her condition, leading to pneumonia. Despite this, she continued to grace our screens with her amazing talent.
Taylor first captured our hearts as the fierce Irene Raymond on EastEnders from 1997 to 2000. She then moved on to join the cast of the popular ITV soap, The Bill, where she played the role of Inspector Gina Gold. In light of her passing, the official soap Instagram account shared a heartfelt tribute to the "formidable" actress.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Roberta Taylor. From the moment she stepped foot in Albert Square, she made a lasting impact on audiences with her unforgettable portrayal of Irene Raymond," the post read. "Roberta will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of working with her. Our thoughts and love go out to her family and friends during this difficult time."
Fellow EastEnders actress Diane Parish also paid tribute to Taylor, describing her as an incredible, kind, and fiercely talented woman. While actor Nicholas Pegg took to Twitter to remember her as "beautiful" and "brilliant," praising her performances in not just EastEnders and The Bill, but also in Shakespeare and Inspector Morse.
Taylor's journey to becoming a beloved soap star was not a conventional one. She began her career as a dental nurse, but her love for acting led her to attend drama classes in her spare time. It wasn't until a friend encouraged her to audition for drama school in 1973 that she pursued acting full-time. She even met her second husband, Peter Guinness, during the audition process and they tied the knot in 1997.
Her acting skills were honed during her time at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre from 1980 to 1992. She appeared in various productions, including A Waste of Time alongside Rupert Everett and Gary Oldman. Five years after her departure from the theatre, Taylor graced our screens as the matriarch of the Hills family on EastEnders. Her character's storylines included a romance with Terry Raymond and an affair with her toyboy lodger, Troy Harvey.
Off-screen, Taylor was known for her quirky and fun personality. She loved trying new trends such as feng shui, aromatherapy, and meditation, often leading to comical scenes on the show. However, after 20 years of dedicating her life to EastEnders, she decided to step away from the show in order to focus on her personal life. "I didn't want to continue putting my life on hold," she shared in an interview with The Mirror. "I didn't want to do things at half-cock."
Roberta Taylor will always be remembered as a talented actress, a dear friend, and a beloved member of the entertainment industry. Her legacy will live on as we continue to watch and appreciate her incredible performances. Rest in peace, Roberta.
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