Then vs Now: Your Favorite Soap Opera Stars Might Be Hard To Recognize
Emily Symons – Emmerdale’s Louise Appleton
Recognized as soap royalty for apparent reasons, actress Emily Symons has appeared in several shows both in the UK and Australia. Emily became an icon of soap opera acting – from playing Anne Costello on Richmond Hill to Marilyn Chambers-Fisher on Home and Away and the famous British series Emmerdale.
Regardless of the multiple prominent roles, fans can never forget the barmaid, Louis Appleton, played by the beloved actress in Emmerdale. Although Emily returned to Home and Away, she recently shared how wonderful her time on Emmerdale was, making fans hope she makes a return to the show soon.
Letitia Dean – EastEnders‘s Sharon Watts
You might know Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts from the popular soap opera EastEnders, but did you know she’s among the only four remaining original cast members from the show’s first episode? Yes, the star is among the people who started the serial, and being on it since 1985, albeit with some breaks, is no easy feat to achieve.

Gillian Taylforth – EastEnders’s Kathy Beale
While most people think of retirement when they get to sixty years old, Gillian Taylforth is built differently. With over 1,600 episodes as Kathy Beale on EastEnders and several appearances on Hollyoaks and The Bill, one would think the actress would be exhausted from the pressure, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Gillian has done well for herself, both career-wise and financially, with over $15 million in her bank balance. While the star hasn’t revealed secrets to her flawless aging, we hope she will let the cat out of the bag soon as she looks absolutely stunning!
Martine McCutcheon – EastEnders’s Tiffany Mitchell
What were you doing when you were 12 years old? Well, at that age, Martine McCutcheon had already started making major moves on her future career, making her on-screen debut on Bluebirds back in 1989.

Still, the actress rose to fame after appearing on EastEnders, with her performance earning her numerous accolades and more film roles.
Martine is as multitalented as they come, with the television personality not only a skilled actress but also a prolific singer, with several hits like Perfect Moment. The star is one of the few performers who can do countless things, and we can’t wait to see the next project she’s working on.
Michelle Collins – EastEnders‘s Cindy Beale
Michelle Collins is a famous British actress and one of the few people who have appeared in two of the most popular soap operas in the country. She played Cindy Beale in EastEnders and took up the role of Stella Price in Coronation Street, playing both to absolute perfection.

By now, the actress has nearly four decades of experience in the film industry, with countless television and movie credits to her name. Yet, while her peers are thinking about retirement, Michelle is still going strong. She’s certainly not one to let age come between her and doing what she loves.
Helen Flanagan – Coronation Street’s Rose Webster
Any avid fan of Coronation Street either loves or hates the rebellious Rose Webster, and the character is one of the most famous of the entire show. The person behind the exemplary performances is Helen Flanagan, an actress who has won several award nominations for the role.

The actress has numerous Hollywood credits to her name, including Holby City, Lorraine, and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. While other celebrities find it a bit difficult to juggle between work and family life, Flanagan has mastered the art, and when she’s not on set, the star is taking care of her three children.
Samia Longchambon – Coronation Street’s Maria Connor
While many people know Samia Longchambon as Maria Connor from Coronation Street, most don’t know that she made her debut on the show as an extra when she was only eleven years old. It seems like the star was destined for the soap opera, as she has appeared on it for over two decades.

Samia’s main acting credit has been on the show, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t immensely gifted. The actress enjoys the role she currently has, and since spending time with her family is equally important, she is pretty picky about the projects she chooses to work on.
Michelle Keegan – Coronation Street’s Tina McIntyre
Born in Stockport, Michelle Keegan is popularly known for her portrayal of the character Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street. Interestingly, she got the coveted role after auditioning only twice, and that was her debut in the acting world. Eventually, the English actress became a prominent name in the UK entertainment industry with several awards to her name.

This award-winning actress has also featured in several productions, some of which include Ordinary Lies, Our Girl and Tina and Bobby. In 2015, Michelle married his fellow actor – Mark Wright, after being engaged for two years. Catch more of the stunning actress in the ongoing TV series, Brassic.
Stephanie Davis – Hollyoaks’ Sinead O’Connor
If you are a fan of Celebrity Big Brother then you remember Stephanie Davis, the runner-up of season seventeen. She rose to fame after appearing in Over the Rainbow which landed her the role of Sinead O’Connor in Hollyoaks.

Before landing a role in the Channel 4 soap, the multi-talented actress had guest roles in shows like Holby City, Doctors, and Parents of the Band. In 2020, this beautiful actress released a single titled Lights out, adding songstress to her already successful career. We hope Davis is working on another single or even a debut album because her music is awesome.
Tracy Shaw – Coronation Street’s Maxine Peacock
After taking a break from entertainment to raise her kids, Tracy Shaw has returned to the limelight starring in a theatre production as a leading lady. The stunning actress became popular after joining Coronation Street and the viewers loved her immediately.

With cameras following her every move, the talented star did not feel comfortable knowing that her children would also be in the public eye. Her role was eventually written off in an episode that became the most-watched, with almost 20 million people tuning in. Recently, Tracy appeared on Loose Women to discuss her new roles in different productions now that her kids are all grown up.
Kate McGregor – Emmerdale’s Emily Kirk
Kate McGregor is an American actress popularly known for playing the quiet and shy Emily Kirk in the British soap Emmerdale. After her stay on the show ended in 2007, she made appearances in the famous TV series Countdown and other successful productions.

She’s managed to keep her life and career away from public life, and much is not known about her net worth, family, and relationships to date. However, we know that the talented actress who made a significant impression on fans of Emmerdale has not really acted much recently and is reportedly focusing on raising her children and spending time with family.
Emily Symons – Emmerdale’s Louise Appleton
Recognized as soap royalty for apparent reasons, actress Emily Symons has appeared in several shows both in the UK and Australia. Emily became an icon of soap opera acting – from playing Anne Costello on Richmond Hill to Marilyn Chambers-Fisher on Home and Away and the famous British series Emmerdale.

Regardless of the multiple prominent roles, fans can never forget the barmaid, Louis Appleton, played by the beloved actress in Emmerdale. Although Emily returned to Home and Away, she recently shared how wonderful her time on Emmerdale was, making fans hope she makes a return to the show soon.
Anita Dobson – EastEnders’s Angie Watts
For years now, EastEnders has been home to legendary actors, among them Anita Dobson. The star played the role of Angie Watts to perfection, and her performances led to her landing leading roles in films like Darkness Falls and London Road, both of which were successes.

Still, Dobson’s talents don’t end with her acting prowess; she is a skilled singer with numerous hit songs in her resume. So, where did she develop her music skills, you ask? Well, the star has been married to Brian May, the Queen guitarist, and they’ve been friends since their younger years, with the band member producing one of her songs. Couple goals right there!
Tom Watt – EastEnders’ Lofty Holloway
Even when he was still studying drama at Manchester University, Tom Watt was already busy directing a few stage productions. His big television break came by way of EastEnders. When he joined in 198, the BBC soap opera was just starting out.

Tom’s character, Lofty Holloway, became one of the regular characters of the show. When he left EastEnders, Tom pursued another passion of his: football. He became a notable sports journalist for several networks and had a regular slot on BBC London Radio. He is also a writer and has written two football-related books.
Nick Berry – EastEnders’ Simon Wicks
Britain’s former heartthrob Nick Berry had a stellar acting and singing career during the 80s and the 90s. He rose to fame for portraying Simon Wicks on the British soap opera EastEnders and Sergeant Nick Rowan in Heartbeat. Despite attaining immense popularity on-screen, the actor decided to step away from the limelight in 2003 to be a stay-at-home dad.

Though we miss this artist on-screen, we admire his decision to prioritize his family over a life of glamour. Nonetheless, if the Harbour Light star ever decides to make a comeback, we are sure the audiences will welcome him back with open hands.
Linda Davidson – EastEnders’ Mary Smith
Linda Davidson was among the original cast members of “EastEnders,” where she became known for her portrayal of Mary Smith. During her time in the soap opera, Linda was one of the few artists who participated in storylines that touched upon sensitive subjects like unemployment and substance abuse.

Packed with natural talent, she had an impressive on-screen career with significant roles in “Casualty” and “The House of Elliot” but soon steered her heart into a new direction. Linda decided to retire from acting after 14 years in the industry and focused on her true passion, writing. She went on to become a writer for BBC online and E4 Interactive.
Sean Wilson – Coronation Street’s Martin Platt
For two decades, Sean Wilson was a mainstay on British television, delivering thrilling performances day in, day out, playing Martin Platt on Coronation Street. Yet, that isn’t the star’s significant role; he has had massive success in the film industry, including appearing on Traveling Man among other blockbusters.

While many celebrities stick to their coveted careers, Wilson chose to do something else after leaving the soap opera and became a chef. The actor is a famous cheese expert and runs Saddleworth Cheese Company and makes meals in high-end Michelin star restaurants worldwide.
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Yet, that’s not to say that Letitia hasn’t had other gigs aside from the melodrama; she has appeared in countless other productions, including Brookside and The Bill. With her massive influence, the actress/singer has even taken up philanthropy, helping raise funds for several charities worldwide.