“It’s time to spread my wings”
The popular actress explains why the time is right fo or her to hit the road with the BandOfGold tour… and her r mum!
Seven years ago, when she was offered a job on Emmerdale in her hometown, close to her family and friends, Gaynor Faye jumped at the chance.
The Yorkshire-born actress was 41 and the mum of two young children, so the stability of regular work seemed ideal.
Over the years she’s enjoyed a host of dramatic storylines, from near-death experiences to flings and fallings-out. But now, with her children older and more independent, Gaynor is ready for some adventures of her own.
Ahead of joining a nationwide tour of the stage adaptation of BandOfGold, she explains, “Originally when I came to Emmerdale it was to put down roots and live at home. It’s a great show and it was lovely to experience that and not have to be working away from my kids at a crucial time in their lives.
“But my son is 18 now and my daughter is 15, and these days I never see them!” she adds with a laugh. “They’ve got better social lives than me – they’re either off chilling with their friends, at a party or they’re in their rooms. That’s fine, you’ve got to let them go.
“I’ll still be getting home when I can while I’m touring and I’ll miss them like crazy, but I left home at 17 and my mum and dad were married at 16. It’s time to let them have a bit more independence, and it’s time for me to be able to spread my wings again a little bit.”
As glamorous Megan Macey, Gaynor’s day always began with a big blow-dry in the Emmerdale make-up chair, before stepping into the shoes of her immaculately coiffured character.
That’s about to change dramatically in BandOfGold, the award-winning drama revolving around the lives of a group of women working in a red-light district.
The gritty television series was watched by 18 million viewers when it aired 24 years ago, and Gaynor says the fact that the play is a world away from her Emmerdale life was part of the appeal.
“Megan was middle class and wellmanicured and if she had to miss a blow-dry it was a big g deal, whereas my character Rose in BandOfGold has s probably never had a blow-dry in heer life!” She smiles. “I’m goi ng to be doing my own make-up befor e every show, soo it’s a good job Rose has ’ 80s8 curls!
“Theatre life is ve ry different to television – but tha t’s what I love a bout it.”
Gaynor (48) has enjoyede a succeessful career, with starring roles in shows including Fat Friends, Playing The Field and Coro nation Street, where she spent four years as July Mallett.
She left Emmerdale in August, butb Megan wasn’t killed off.
“It’s great that hey’ve left the door open,” she say s. “I love Megan and I certainly miss her wardrobe!”
Although she is thrilled to be starting a new phase of her life, Gayynor reveals it took a little e bit of adjustmeent to realise that teenager s Oliver and Lilly no longer relied on her quite so much.
“I was talking to a friend about it and I said, ‘It’s really weir rd how they don’t seem to need me as much h any more,’ and he said, ‘It’s because yo u’ve done a great job, Gaynor.’ So I have tot look at it that way.
“They’re wonder ful children, very kind
“My character Rose has probably never had a blow-dry in her life!”
and compassionate, so I feel reallyy lucky.” BandOfGold was penned by acclaimed writer Kay Mellor, who aalso happens to be Gaynor’s mum.
Kay is the director of the stage pplay – but Gaynor insists that she has noo difficulty taking directions.
“We’ve worked together in the e past and she knows her work inside outtt, so I’d be a fool not to listen to her,” she s aays. “We’re both always professional oonn set. The last thing you want is for people pl to think she’s favouring me in any waayy. I’m just another actor on the stage.”
The BandOfGold tour lasts for four months, but Gaynor is determined to create a home from home as she moves around the country. A practising Buddhist, she will take her Omamori Gohonzon with her – a Buddhist inscribed scroll.
“I chant twice a day so I’ll be setting up a little altar with candles and incense and Evergreen wherever I go,” she explains. “I’ll also take a little Nespresso machine and plenty of coffee – because life’s too short for bad coffee!”