Roberta Taylor, known for her roles in beloved British television shows "The Bill" and "EastEnders," passed away on July 6th at the age of 76.
Taylor's death followed a period of declining health. She had been battling lung disease emphysema for some time, and a fall two months prior led to an infection that worsened her condition. Pneumonia ultimately contributed to her passing, according to reports.
Prior to her acting career, Taylor worked as a dental nurse. However, a passion for the stage led her to pursue drama classes in her free time. In 1973, a friend encouraged her to try out for drama school. She successfully auditioned and began her studies at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama, coinciding with the arrival of her future second husband, Peter Guinness.
Taylor's stage career blossomed during her time at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre from 1980 to 1992. She honed her craft in a diverse range of plays, including classic works like Noel Coward's "Private Lives," Oscar Wilde's "An Ideal Husband," and Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage." She also took on the challenging role in a stage adaptation of Marcel Proust's "A la recherche du temps perdu" (Remembrance of Things Past), titled "A Waste of Time," alongside notable actors Rupert Everett and Gary Oldman.
In 1997, Taylor joined the cast of the BBC's long-running soap opera "EastEnders." She portrayed Irene Raymond, the matriarch of the Hills family, a role she inhabited for three years. Irene was a complex character who became known for her multiple romances, including those with Terry Raymond, played by Gavin Richards, and her young lodger Troy Harvey, portrayed by Jamie Jarvis.
Despite enjoying her time on "EastEnders," Taylor decided to leave the show in 2000, citing the demanding filming schedule and the need to prioritize her own life.
âI was always thinking, âWhen can I learn my lines?â I gave over much of my life to the show and if I was to carry on at such a pace Iâd have to continue to put my life on hold,â she told The Mirror. "I had a lot of fun playing Irene, and Gavin, who plays my screen husband Terry, and I got on brilliantly. Irene was a complicated lady. I never knew what was going to happen next, but thatâs what life is like. We worked hard at our characters. People thought we were comical but actually there was a lot of sarcasm.â
Following her departure from "EastEnders," Taylor went on to star in the ITV police drama "The Bill," playing Inspector Gina Gold. She also made numerous appearances on other popular television shows, including "Casualty," "Doctors," "Sharman," "Holby City," "Silent Witness," and "Inspector Morse." Taylor also graced the big screen in films like "The Witches" (1990) and "Tom & Viv" (1994).
Her final major television series was "Shakespeare & Hathaway" in 2022.
In addition to her acting career, Taylor was a published author. She penned a memoir, "Too Many Mothers," in 2005, which detailed her childhood. She also wrote a novel, "The Reinvention of Ivy Brown," in 2008.
Following the news of her death, tributes poured in from fellow actors and colleagues.
Actor Nicholas Pegg shared his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Beautiful, brilliant Roberta Taylor. Adored by millions for her roles in The Bill and EastEnders. Outstanding in Shakespeare, Inspector Morse, and all points in between. A mighty raconteur, a demon at Scrabble, and a dear friend. Thoughts are with her family and her beloved Pete."
Kyri Zindilis, story producer on "EastEnders," also expressed his grief on X, writing: "Devastated to hear this â I adored Irene Raymond. We have this picture printed out and up on the wall in the Story Department, and it always makes me smile. RIP Roberta Taylor.â
Roberta Taylor will be remembered for her talent, warmth, and the memorable characters she brought to life on screen. Her legacy will continue to be cherished by countless fans of British television.
