Gillian Taylforth has reportedly split from her fiancé and convicted drug dealer, Dave Fairbairn, after six years together.
According to reports, the EastEnders actress, 64, has called off her wedding to her long-term partner, with their relationship coming under strain following a ‘string of disagreements’.
The pair have been together since 2013 and briefly called off their engagement in 2017, before later rekindling their relationship.
All over: EastEnders actress Gillian Taylforth has reportedly split from her fiancé and convicted drug dealer, Dave Fairbairn, after six years together
A friend of Gillian’s told The Sun: ‘It’s a great shame after all this time together but it just wasn’t working out. They’ve called it quits on the best of terms.’
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Gillian for comment.
The split seems to be a case of history repeating itself for the couple, as Gillian, who is best known for playing Kathy Beale in EastEnders, parted ways with Dave two years ago due to ‘fiery rows’ between the pair.
It was also reported Gillian had suspected Dave of ‘cheating’, with sources claiming at the time that the couple ‘hadn’t been happy for a while’.
Back in 2015, Gillian had shared her reluctance over getting married, with the soap star admitting the thought of a wedding left her feeling ‘panicked’, as she was happy with their relationship and how it was.
Split: According to reports, the soap star, 64, called off her wedding to her long-term partner Dave (pictured above in 2015), as their relationship became strained following a ‘string of disagreements’
She previously explained: ‘Dave proposed to me while we were on a weekend break to Barcelona with Harrison in 2013. We were enjoying a jug of sangria outside a cafe and suddenly Dave got down on one knee.
‘I was distracted and said yes and then I thought about what I’d just agreed to. I’m thinking about wedding plans but I still haven’t set a date yet – sometimes I think I should just go for it but then I get a bit panicked.
‘I guess my attitude to marriage is sometimes if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’
Fairbairn was jailed for 15 years for drug charges in 2003, after being found guilty of plotting to import and supply Class A drugs. He served seven years of his sentence before being released and relocating to Surrey.
According to reports, Fairbairn was plotting to import ‘one of the biggest ecstasy hauls seized in the UK’.
Past: Fairbairn was jailed for 15 years for drug charges in 2003, after being found guilty of plotting to import and supply ‘one of the biggest ecstasy hauls seized in the UK’
The Mirror reports police found ‘839,500 ecstasy tablets worth an estimated £7.5million’ in a raid on a warehouse located in Gloucestershire.
Fairbairn had supported Gillian when she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother six years ago, with sources telling the paper Fairbairn had been honest with the actress about his conviction.
‘He has moved on and is a reformed character. Gillian is a lovely lady and Dave is very happy with her,’ a source said at the time.
A second added: ‘[Gillian] is in love with Dave and she knows everything about his past. He is a changed man and she is extremely happy with him.’
Gillian’s relationship with Fairbairn was her first following her split from her ex-partner of 23 years Geoff Knights.
She shares two children with Knights, who tragically died of stomach cancer, aged 58, back in 2013.
On and off: Gillian, who is best known for playing Kathy Beale on EastEnders, has been dating Fairbairn since 2013 and the duo briefly called off their engagement in 2017, before later rekindling their relationship