Former EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin has melted hearts with a touching birthday tribute to her eldest daughter, Bessie, who has just turned 19, sending fans into a frenzy over their uncanny resemblance.
A Mother's Loving Tribute
To mark the special occasion on Saturday, the 55-year-old actress, famed for playing Lisa Fowler on the BBC soap, shared a delightful carousel of photos on her Instagram. The post offered a glimpse into Bessie's life, featuring a recent holiday snap dining al fresco, a selfie, a playful picture from her younger teen years, and a cherished childhood photo with her famous mum.
The proud mother's post was swiftly met with a wave of affectionate comments from followers. One fan immediately noted the strong family likeness, writing that Bessie gets her "beautiful looks from your mum." Others praised the teen's natural beauty, with one commenting, "Wow! It’s refreshing to see a natural beauty. Nothing false here. Happy birthday."
Bessie's Joking Response
In a moment of light-hearted embarrassment, Bessie herself was the first to comment on her mum's grid post, jokingly asking, "Why do you hate me?" A supportive fan was quick to reassure her, replying, "Oh Bess she loves you so much darlin."
Bessie is Lucy's daughter with her ex-husband, Richard Taggart. The couple met by chance on a flight to Dubai after he recognised her from her television work. They married in 2006 but later separated, with a source at the time stating their marriage had "run its course." Lucy later opened up about the split, expressing gratitude that they were largely "left alone" by the media.
A Soap Opera Legacy and Beyond
Lucy Benjamin is best known for her role as Lisa Fowler on EastEnders from 1998 to 2003. She was a central figure in one of the show's most iconic storylines, "Who Shot Phil?" Mitchell. Her pregnancy with Bessie was accidentally revealed to the public by Sharon Osbourne during the first episode of The X Factor: Battle of the Stars in May 2006, a moment which prompted an amused smile from Lucy after host Kate Thornton acknowledged the blunder.
Since leaving Walford, Lucy has continued her acting career. In 2023, she appeared in the Paramount crime thriller Curfew, a role that nearly turned into a mini EastEnders reunion as she found herself working alongside Anita Dobson and Larry Lamb.
