SOAPSTAR Laila Morse is best known for her role as Mo Harris in Eastenders, but now she's stepping out of her comfort zone for ITV's Strictly The Real Full Monty.
The 76-year-old, who has recovered from breast cancer, will be stripping off on camera in the hopes of raising awareness around the disease. Ahead of her big performance, here's everything to know about Laila…
Who is Laila Morse?
Laila Morse was born in Dorking, Surrey.
She is the sister of Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman who played Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series.
But Laila has had a successful acting career of her own, and is perhaps best known as Mo Harris in BBC Soap EastEnders.
Her real name is Maureen Oldman and Laila Morse is her stage name.
The star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 after co-star Wendy Richard, who tragically died from the disease in 2009 after a 14 year long battle, convinced her to get it checked.
It turned out that Laila's lump was cancer but luckily, because it was diagnosed early, it was treatable.
In 2021, Laila revealed that she credits Wendy with saving her life.
Is Laila Morse married?
The British actress married Gerald Bromfield in 1962.
The couple had two children together, Gerry, 49, and Tracy, 54.
Laila divorced Gerald in 1970 after he served 14 months in prison for theft as part of the notorious Deptford Mob.
However, the star would marry again twenty five years later, in 1995, when she wed Jim Bass after a six month romance.
The two split not long after and finalised their divorce in 2001, with Laila eventually admitting in her memoir that she hadn't really loved Jim.
In 2006, Laila reunited with an old fling she met in Ibiza, Jimmy, and it looks like the two have been in a relationship ever since.
What TV shows has Laila Morse been on?
Laila Morse's first job on TV was in a couple of episodes of the police drama The Bill.
She also played the character Honky Mum in the BBC comedy Honky Sausages in the 1990s.
She's most famous for her role as Mo Harris on EastEnders, whose last appearance on the soap was in June 2021.
In addition to acting roles Laila has also had several reality TV appearances, including Dancing On Ice and Celebrity Masterchef.
In December 2021, Laila bravely agreed to get her kit off on ITV for Strictly The Real Full Monty to raise awareness and money for cancer charities.
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