EastEnders and The Bill star Roberta Taylor dies a 76

Roberta Taylor, renowned for her roles in EastEnders and The Bill, has passed away at the age of 76. Her agent, Roxane Vacaa, confirmed her death on July 6 2024.

Born in London, Taylor was well-known for her portrayal of Irene Raymond in EastEnders from 1997 to 2000. Her character was the central figure of the Hills family and was involved in several notable storylines.

After leaving EastEnders, Taylor joined The Bill in 2002 as Inspector Gina Gold, a role she held for six years. Her other TV credits include appearances in Luther, Casualty, and Inspector Morse.

She also featured in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches and BBC’s Bleak House.

Taylor had a distinguished theatre career, including work with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her final stage role was in the musical Dusty in 2018, and she appeared as Gloria Fonteyn in Shakespeare & Hathaway until 2022.

In 2005, Taylor published her memoir, Too Many Mothers: An East End Childhood, reflecting on her complex family background.

EastEnders producer Kyri Zindilis expressed his sorrow, sharing a photo of Taylor with co-stars Pam St Clement and Barbara Windsor. He wrote, “Devastated to hear this – I adored Irene Raymond. RIP Roberta Taylor.”

Taylor was married to actor Peter Guinness and had one son, Elliot, with her former spouse Victor Taylor. She had been dealing with emphysema and had recently suffered a fall that led to pneumonia.