Soaps

EastEnders star Jake Wood shares picture from first TV role in tribute to Jill Gascoine

Jake worked with Jill in The Gentle Touch

EastEnders star Jake Wood has shared a picture from his first TV role as he paid tribute to actress Jill Gascoine, who recently died aged 83.

Jake posted the picture Twitter account.

Alongside the picture, he wrote: “My very first TV job was aged 11 with Jill Gascoine in The Gentle Touch. I have never forgotten her generosity and kindness to me.

Jake appeared in The Gentle Touch when he was 11 (Credit: Shutterstock)

He added: “Her welcoming me to the industry with such open arms and encouragement inspired me to want to become an actor. RIP x.”

Fans commented on the post.

One wrote: “Sorry to hear this mate. Hope you are keeping well and crazy how time goes so fast.”

A second tweeted: “Aww such a cutie.”

A third added: “That’s a lovely memory for you. I use to be allowed to stay up to watch The Gentle Touch with my mum.”

Jake worked alongside Jill in his first TV role (Credit: Shutterstock)

Jake appeared on The Gentle Touch in 1984 which starred Jill Gascoine and William Marlowe.

The actor is now best known for his role as Max Branning on EastEnders. He joined the popular soap in 2006 and is still on the show to this day.

Jake is now well known for playing Max Branning in EastEnders (Credit: BBC)

Jill Gascoine’s death

In 2016, her second husband Alfred Molina confirmed Jill was in a “very advanced stage of Alzheimer’s” and that she had moved into a care home.

Jill’s death was announced recently on Facebook by her son Adam.

He wrote: “She’s suffered from Alzheimer’s for 10 years, so today was a thankful release.

“The family is all well and relieved that she’s not suffering anymore.”

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will not be a memorial for Jill “for a good while.” However the family are planning services in the UK and US.

Jill died recently after a long battle with Alzheimer’s (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Adam added: “There will not be a memorial for a good while due to the current climate. The family will reach out once details have been arranged.

“We will only hold two services – one in London for UK friends and family, and one in LA for the US side.

“She was a wonderful human and a spirit of truth and absolute, unconditional love. There was no other.

“I am happy she’s moved on. Please raise a glass. Be kind and love deeply (sic).

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Charlotte Rodrigues
Soap Contributor
Charlotte Rodrigues joined Entertainment Daily in April 2018, as Audience Engagement Executive. A huge soap fan, Charlotte then became Senior Soap Writer, delivering the latest storylines and spoilers to our followers.

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