Trivia

Older sister of Gary Oldman.

'Laila Morse' is a pseudonym originally suggested by her brother, Gary Oldman. It is an anagram of 'mia sorella' - the Italian for 'my sister'.

Prior to becoming an actress Morse worked as a van driver.

Separated from her 1st husband Gerald Bromfield just 5 days after giving birth to their son, Gerry.

Gave birth to her 1st child at age 18, a daughter Tracy Joanne Bromfield in January 1964. Child's father is her 1st ex-husband, Gerald Bromfield.

Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 23, a son Gerald Stephen Bromfield (aka Gerry Bromfield) in March 1969. Child's father is her 1st ex-husband, Gerald Bromfield.

Grandmother of Danny (b. 1983), Brooke (b. 1992), Jess (b. 2003) and Jack (b. 2004) via daughter Tracy.

As of 2026 she is the fifth longest serving actress in the history of EastEnders (1985) (tied with Gillian Wright, and behind only June Brown, Letitia Dean, Gillian Taylforth, and a tied Pam St. Clement and Natalie Cassidy), having played the character Mo Harris for a total of 22 years (initially from 2000 until 2016, then from 2018 until 2022, and then from 2024 onwards).

Despite playing their characters' grandmother on EastEnders (1985), Morse is only 21 years older than Elaine Lordan, 23 years older than Kacey Ainsworth and 26 years older than Jessie Wallace. She's 39 years older than Michelle Ryan, who plays her great granddaughter.

Aunt of Alfie Oldman.

Was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 but after undergoing a lumpectomy she was given the all-clear.

Ex-sister-in-law of Uma Thurman, Lesley Manville and Donya Fiorentino.

Was good friends with her EastEnders (1985) co-star Wendy Richard.

Is one of 10 EastEnders (1985) actors to have competed on Dancing on Ice (2006). The others, in chronological order, are Gemma Bissix (Clare Bates), Todd Carty (Mark Fowler), Bobby Davro (Vinnie Monks), Danniella Westbrook (Sam Mitchell), Nadia Sawalha (Annie Palmer), Sam Attwater (Leon Small), Matt Lapinskas (Anthony Moon), Joe Swash (Mickey Miller), and Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson).

Gave up smoking in 2016 after being told by her doctor she was at immediate risk of a heart attack.

Is one of 10 EastEnders (1985) actors to have competed in I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! (2002). The others, in chronological order, are Danniella Westbrook (Sam Mitchell), Sid Owen (Ricky Butcher), Elaine Lordan (Lynne Hobbs), Dean Gaffney (Robbie Jackson), Marc Bannerman (Gianni di Marco), Joe Swash (Mickey Miller), Lucy Benjamin (Lisa Fowler), Charlie Brooks (Janine Butcher) and Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell).

Daughter of Leonard (1921-1985) and Kathleen (née Cheriton) Oldman (1919-2018).

Maternal granddaughter of William (1890-1966) and Victoria (née Abell) Cheriton (1897-1975).

Maternal great-granddaughter of Walter (1866-1947) and Martha (née Fitzgerald) Abell (1875-1912).

Maternal great-great-granddaughter of Richard (1825-1885) and Lydia (née Richardson) Abell (1826-1895).

Maternal great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles (1802-1859) and Lydia (née Mitchell) Richardson (1811-1887).

Paternal granddaughter of Alfred (1883-1951) and Mona (née Howe) Oldman (1885-1942).

Paternal great-granddaughter of Arthur (1855-1912) and Annie (née Cooper) Oldman (1852-1929).