I love being an EastEnd Girl after losing out on being Bad Girl
The EastEnders actress, 45, spills the beans on her favourite shows and her close relationship with her on-screen family…
Hi Lorraine. What TV shows are you a big fan of?
I love Escape To The Country, A Place In The Sun and Location Location Location. I’m nosy like that. And they give me ideas too. When I watch A Place In The Sun, I’m like, ‘One day I’m going to buy that villa’.
How would you describe the way you watch TV?
My fella is always watching Netflix and really gets into a series but I’m always learning lines, so I like things that are a quick half an hour.
If you could act in any show, which would it be?
Bad Girls. I went up for a casting at the start of my career and was so gutted that I didn’t get it.
How has joining EastEnders changed your life?
It’s just amazing to be part of an iconic show and go to work every day where you’re part of a family.
Who are you closest to from the cast?
Clair Norris, who plays my daughter – we’re very close – and Roger [Griffiths, who plays Mitch Baker] and Zack [Morris, who plays Keegan Baker]. They are my closest friends on set. We have a WhatsApp group, which we post pictures on. We also go for dinner sometimes, which is lovely. And I’m also close to Natalie [Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler] and Max [Bowden, who plays Ben Mitchell].
Are the Taylors like a real family behind the scenes?
We are. Roger’s like the dad of the group who loves buying presents for people. And I am the kids’ mum – they even call me “Mum Number 2” or “Mummy T”.
Did you have a Plan B if acting didn’t work out?
No. I was always the class clown at school and entered talent competitions when we went on holiday to Butlin’s. It’s all I wanted to do. I wish I’d had a sideline job. I was a waitress in between acting for 20 years, which did me nicely, but I’d advise any actors to get another career as well if they can. For me, acting is all I ever wanted to do. l EastEnders is on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.
I love watching property shows. I’m nosy like that.