EastEnders Gloria Knight star Elizabeth Counsell's famous twin, TV husband and forgotten Call The Midwife role

TV legend Elizabeth Counsell has left EastEnders fans gripped with her portrayal of Gloria Knight in the BBC soap. Elizabeth, 81, made her debut on Albert Square in December last year alongside actor Christopher Fairbank, 70, who plays her on-screen husband Eddie Knight.

Gloria and Eddie are the adoptive parents of former boxer George Knight (Colin Salmon) who arrived in Walford in June 2023 with his daughters Gina (Francesca Henry) and Anna Knight (Molly Rainford).

George had not seen his adoptive parents in over a decade and it quickly became clear that they were keeping a secret with their dramatic baby farming story unfolding ever since. But before actress Elizabeth even arrived in Walford as Gloria, she was already a television icon.

READ MORE: Can you remember the names of these 10 EastEnders characters from 2004?

What has Elizabeth been in?

Elizabeth is best known for starring in BBC's sitcom Brush Strokes as Veronica, who was the wife of Lionel Bainbridge (Gary Waldhorn), between 1986 and 1991. Her acting career started back in 1968 when she played the titled role in Michael Gambon's Macbeth at the Forum Theatre, Billingham.

She also became Michael Redgrave's leading lady in Shakespeare's People from 1976 to 1977 and played a part in Peter Hall's Jean Seberg at the Royal National Theatre in 1983.

The now soap star has also featured in a bundle of films including Hot Millions in 1968, Anne of the Thousand Days in 1969, Doctor at Sea in 1974, Under the Doctor in 1976, Killer's Moon in 1978, and Claudia in 1985.

Her most recent film appearances include 2012's Song for Marion with Vanessa Redgrave and the 2014 film Grace of Monaco alongside Nicole Kidman.

She has a long list of TV credits from shows including the likes of Channel 4's comedy-drama Hollywood Hits Chiswick, Doctors, Casualty, The Split, Unforgotten, Call The Midwife and The Outlaws, before taking up her new role in EastEnders.

Who was Elizabeth Counsell in Call The Midwife?

Since launching in 2012, Call the Midwife has signed up endless famous faces to appear in episodes of the BBC period drama, and Elizabeth appeared in series 11 playing a character with a tragic life. She portrayed the role of Mrs Nyall, an elderly widow whom the district nurse is called upon to help.

At first, Mrs Nyall is only heard and not seen, as she is initially reluctant to receive help for fear of embarrassment - “I’m not decent,” she is heard saying behind her bedroom door.

Both Mrs Nyall and her daughter Marigold Nyall (played by Rebecca Johnson) are caught in the middle of a town scandal. A baby’s body is discovered in a local house during renovations, a house that the Nyall has lived in years prior.

It turns out that the child died young due to complications, and that the body was hidden. At first, it looks as though Mrs Nyall hid the baby for the shame of being a widow, though this doesn’t turn out to be the case.

In the end, it is revealed Marigold hid the body and did so due to giving birth out of wedlock. Mrs Nyall makes brief appearances throughout the episode, though it is later revealed that she is suffering from dementia.

Elizabeth's role is a small one, but one that was emotionally charged.

Who is Elizabeth's famous family?

The 81-year-old is the daughter of actress Mary Kerridge and stage director John Counsell, who ran the Theatre Royal, Windsor together.

Elizabeth also has a twin sister, Jenny (Jennifer M) Counsell, an actress who died on May 23, 2020. Jenny is known for Sergeant Cork (1963), Six More Faces of Jim (1962) and Lucy in London (1966)

During the 1970s, Elizabeth married fellow actor David Simeon and in 1979 they welcomed a son. David has starred in the likes of Doctor Who, Coronation Street as sales rep Bobby Simpson, Casualty, Doctor Who and The Bill.

In October 2005, he starred as Dougie Collins for one episode of EastEnders. Little else is known about the star-studded couple who keep their family life out of the spotlight.

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