Stunned EastEnders fans are ‘only just realising’ Kathy Beale’s real age after digging out a 40-year-old picture of a Walford legend. 

The cafe owner has been portrayed by actress Gillian Taylforth on and off since 1985.

One fan recently took to Reddit to point out Kathy is the same age as her mother-in-law Lou Beale, when she first appeared on the Square in 1985.

They put a picture of both characters side by side to highlight their point, with the caption: ‘Isn’t it funny how people looked older back then? I think the hairstyles had a lot to do with it.’

Kathy is currently 75-years-old, but in real life Gillian is 69. 

But one fan pointed out: ‘Seems unfair to compare anyone to Gillian Taylforth. She clearly defies any and all conceptions of the ageing process.’

Stunned EastEnders fans are ‘only just realising’ Kathy Beale’s real age after digging out 40-year-old pic of Walford legend

 The cafe owner has been portrayed by actress Gillian Taylforth on/off since 1985

One fan recently took to Reddit to point out Kathy is the same age as her mother in law Lou Beale (played by Anna Wing) when she first appeared on the Square in 1985

Another agreed: ‘She does! I think she looks better now than she did back in 85! Also isn’t Gillian younger than Kathy?’

A third chimed in: ‘Gillian is an absolute freak of nature. More beautiful than she was in the 80s.’ 

A fourth added: ‘I feel like not only have expectations of beauty changed, women don’t ‘have to’ age anymore and the fashion is just younger. I think it’s been a fairly quick change, even women in their 50s were depicted quite old back then (think dot was late 40s?)’ 

‘Hairstyles definitely play a big part, as well as clothes, modern advances in make up, better application techniques and of course good old amazing genes! Gillian is naturally blessed; the woman is just beautiful,’ a fifth said.

A sixth commented: ‘I think back in Lou’s day it was a harsh soap and that was it. If you were poor or working class anyways which she certainly was. Also smoking, drinking, poor diets, little exercise.’ 

Gillian first appeared on EastEnders in 1985. She played the role until 1998, then again between 1999 and 2000.  

The soap star returned to Walford in 2015 and has been a main character since.  

Gillian pictured with her late co-star Anna Wing with Bill Treacher, Wendy Richard, Gillian Taylforth, Peter Dean, Adam Woodyatt , Anna Wing and Susan Tully

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Gillian is one of the soap’s longest serving stars, but she has also appeared in various other shows over the years.

Some include Blankety Blank, Footballers’ Wives, Casualty, Hollyoaks and Missing.

She’s also starred in various others such as Celebrity Big Brother, Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, Strictly Come Dancing and This Morning. 

Meanwhile Anna played family matriarch Lou Beale on EastEnders between 1985 and 1988. 

Anna also landed roles in shows such as Doctor Who, The 14, The Bill, Casualty, and French and Saunders. 

The actress pᴀssed away aged 98 on July 7 2013.