AN ACTRESS who went down in Brookside’s soap history looks unrecognisable 28 years after her controversial incest storyline hit the small screen.
The long-running programme, which was broadcast on Channel 4 and also featured the likes of now-Corrie star Claire Sweeney, 53, wrapped for good in November 2003.
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Yet it was Helen Grace’s incest storyline in 1996, when her character Georgia Simpson was involved in an incestuous relationship with her younger brother Nat, which kick-started her career.
At the time Helen, now 53, told how she took on the Brookside role “for the experience.”
Their uncomfortable relationship was seen developing during a fishing trip.
Helen’s character sported shoulder-length blonde hair and natural make-up, similar to her current appearance off-screen years later.
She left Brookside in 1997, before moving on to BBC One show Roger Roger.
The Hertfordshire-born star then went on to bag roles in a host of well-loved shows including Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Bad Girls and Cold Feet.
Most recently, she showed off her age-defying look in CBBC series Hetty Feather.
Despite playing an older character, a hospital benefactor named Lady Asquith, her natural beauty shines through.
Yet she looked unrecognisable in her role as Lady Asquith – a character who was often seen wearing a bonnet hat, with her hair pinned into curls underneath.
A blouse and cardigan were also her uniform of choice.
She departed following Hetty Feather’s second season, with her storyline seeing her move to New York.
Off-screen, Helen is a mum-of-two.
She is married to British actor Timothy Watson, who starred in BBC Radio 4 drama, The Archers, in 2016.
Timothy, who played Rob Titchener, recently compared his role and life with on-air wife, Helen, to his real-life one.
Addressing his cruel and manipulative character he said: “Believe me, I’m nothing like him.
“Honestly, I couldn’t be more different from Rob.
“Well, except that we both have wives called Helen.”
He added to MailOnline at the time: “How would my real life wife Helen react if I began behaving like Rob at home?
“She would spot it in an instant and would run a mile.
“If I started moaning there was nothing for dinner and nothing in the fridge, she would probably end up slapping me.
“That stuff would never work with my real wife Helen.”
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