Then and now
You’ll never believe which 13 soap stars these kids grew up to be
We take a look back at some of the longest-lasting soap stars - and you won’t believe how much some of them have changed!
MILLIONS of us join in every week to share in the daily dramas of our favourite characters on telly, and the characters become the furniture of our everyday routine and as the years roll by.
But sometimes we forget what they looked like when they first joined the show! Here are how much some of our favourite soap characters have changed over the years.
William (Bill) Roache (Ken Barlow in Coronation Street)
13
Bill Roache has played Ken Barlow in Coronation Street since the first episode aired in December 1960.
His incredible 55 years service to the programme got him into The Guinness World Records as the longest-serving living television actor in a continuous role.
Ryan Moloney (Neighbours' Toadfish Rebecchi)
13
Ryan Moloney started playing Toadfish when he was 15 years old and, last year, celebrated his 20th anniversary with Neighbours.
A troubled teen turned qualified lawyer was a hit with viewers and he’s become one of the best-loved characters.
Nick Pickard, (Hollyoaks' Tony Hutchinson)
13
Nick Pickard appeared in the very first Hollyoaks episode in 1995 and is currently the longest-serving cast member.
Did you know though that he also played a minor role in EastEnders in 1994?
He appeared as a homeless boy who was burnt to death when Phil Mitchell torched Frank Butcher’s car-lot.
Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale in EastEnders)
13
Adam Woodyatt is the only actor to be in EastEnders since it first aired in 1985 and he has won 5 British Soap Awards for his role as Ian Beale.
Incidentally, that is the same number of times his character has been married.
Katie Richie (Home and Away's Sally Fletcher)
13
Katie Richie made her debut at Home and Away’s Sally Fletcher when she was just nine years old.
Her character left the bay in 2008 but she temporarily reprised her role in 2013.
Ellis Hollins (Hollyoaks' Tom Cunningham)
13
Ellis Hollins landed a role in Hollyoaks at the tender age of 4.
Although he is only 16 now, his transformation during his 12 years on the show is remarkable.
Not a baby anymore!
Steve McFadden (EastEnders' Phil Mitchell)
13
Steve McFadden has played EastEnders’ bad boy Phil Mitchell since 1990.
His character has since become synonymous with the programme.
Tina O’Brien (Coronation Street's Sarah-Louise Platt)
13
Tina O’Brien has played Corrie’s Sarah-Louise Platt since 1999.
She took a break from the soap in 2007 but reprised her role in 2015.
Charley Webb (Emmerdale's Debbie Dingle)
13
Daughter of cousins Charity and Cain Dingle, Debbie Dingle has had her fair share of tough story lines!
Daughter, Sarah, has battled with a rare genetic disease, whilst Debbie is almost murdered by her crazy ex Cameron during a nail-biting week of episodes back in 2013.
Sam Aston (Coronation Street's Chesney Brown)
13
Sam Aston took up his role as Corrie’s Chesney Brown in 2003 and look how much he’s changed since joining Britain’s longest-running soap!
The 22-year-old has turned into a man before our eyes.
Natalie Cassidy (EastEnders' Sonia Fowler)
13
Natalie Cassidy has been in EastEnders since 1993.
Over the years, she has won two British Soap Awards for her depiction of the Sonia Fowler.
Kevin Fletcher (Emmerdale's Andy Sugden)
13
A regular on Emmerdale, Kevin Fletcher has portrayed farmer Andy Sugden for almost twenty years.
After dealing with the murder of his fiancé Katie, he is now getting his life back on track, as things are beginning to heat up between him and his brothers soon-to-be ex wife Chrissie!
Brooke Vincent (Coronation Street's Sophie Webster)
13
Taking over the role of Sophie Webster in 2004 at just 11 years old.
Brooke Vincent has played Sophie throughout arguments with older sister Rosie, her conversion to Christianity and her lesbian relationships.
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