Michelle Ryan - Zoe Slater from EastEnders

The beautiful Michelle Ryan got famous for portraying Zoe Slater in the BBC soap opera EastEnders between 2000 and 2005. In 2010, she reprised the role in the TV special EastEnders: Farewell Stacey. While playing Zoe was the kickstart to Ryan's career, she's been working steadily as an actress since leaving.

On a break since appearing in the 2020 TV series Dark Stories, Ryan has also appeared in Doctor Who, Merlin, and Cockneys vs Zombies. In 2007, she was given the lead in the series Bionic Woman, but the show was canceled after only one season.

Helen Flanagan – Rosie Webster from Coronation Street

With just five acting credits in her filmography, the gorgeous Helen Flanagan is naturally indissociable from Rosie Webster, her long-running Coronation Street character. Webster, the character, was born in a 1990 episode of the soap and started appearing regularly in the show in 2000.

After making it to almost 1,100 episodes of Coronation Street, Flanagan left in 2018. Since then, she hasn't returned to the screen as an actress, but she's been making occasional appearances in British talk shows and game shows. In 2021, she appeared as a guest in Loose Women and Lorraine.

Letitia Dean – Sharon Watts from EastEnders

Considering EastEnders has been on since 1985, it's uncanny that Letitia Dean (one of the original cast members) is still playing the legendary character of Sharon Watts. While Watts was left out of the soap between 1995 and 2001 and 2006 and 2012, it's undeniable that she's one of the most popular soapie characters in the history of British television.

The actress behind Watts, Dean, appeared in The Bill, The Hello Girls, and Lady Sullivan Is Getting Married. However, EastEnders is still by far her most important project. In 2021, she celebrated her 2,371st appearance in the series. Simply remarkable!

Maisie Smith – Tiffany Butcher from EastEnders

One of the best things about watching soap operas is seeing the actors grow right in front of our eyes. The young Maisie Smith was born in 2001 but has still managed to make it to over 600 episodes of EastEnders! She plays the character of Tiffany Butcher, introduced to the viewers in 2006.

A very promising up-and-coming British actress, Smith is also famous for her Strictly Come Dancing performance. She made it all the way to the final of the game show's 18th season, losing only to the beloved English comedian Bill Bailey.

Barbara Knox – Rita Tanner from Coronation Street

There's no shortage of powerful female characters in the world of British soaps, but can anyone really stand up against Rita Tanner? The beloved Coronation Street character has been on since the mid-'60s and is portrayed by the charismatic Barbara Knox.

Few actors are lucky enough to say they've managed to work in show business for over six decades by basically playing a single character. But that's Knox for you: while it's almost unthinkable to imagine her doing anything else, her massive talent and on-screen personality have allowed her to capture the imagination of the British viewers in over 3,100 Coronation Street episodes.

Gillian Taylforth – Kathy Beale from EastEnders

Portrayed by the lovely Gillian Taylforth, the character of Kathy Beale has been an EastEnders standard since 1985. While Taylforth left for a period of five years in 2000, she ended up making a 2015 comeback to the series and hasn't left since.

Unlike many other recurring soap actresses, though, Taylforth has diligently explored her options and appeared in several other productions, including Footballers' Wives, The Bill, Jane Hall, Hollyoaks, and Casualty. She's currently working on the unreleased drama movie Coming Up, which explores the history of the booming British rave culture during the '90s.

Jessie Wallace - Kat Slater from EastEnders

The beautiful Jessie Wallace has spent the last 20 years portraying Kat Slater, the second eldest Slater family sister. The daughter of a secretary and a communications engineer, Wallace started her acting career in 1999.

Needless to say, she's been mostly busy with her work in EastEnders. She did appear in other TV movies and series, including Wild at Heart, Redwater, and Children in Need. In September, Wallace will celebrate her 50th birthday, but she still looks a good ten years younger! Last year, she was temporarily suspended from EastEnders for allegedly drinking on the set.

Stephanie Davis – Sinead O’Connor from Hollyoaks

The lovely Stephanie Davis started her acting career in 2005, ten years after the release of the first-ever Hollyoaks episode. She landed a place in the show in 2010, portraying the character of Sinead O'Connor (now Sinead Shelby). In 2015, her contract was terminated due to lateness and lack of attendance. But in 2018, Davis was reintroduced to the soap.

Considering the latest episode of Hollyoaks aired in 2019 (mostly for pandemic-related reasons), it's been a while since we've last seen Davis doing her thing on the small screen. A popular figure in the United Kingdom, Davis is also known for her successful run in Celebrity Big Brother.

Gemma Merna – Carmel McQueen from Hollyoaks

The name of the sweet Gemma Merna reads like an Italian poem, but make no mistake: this British bombshell was born and raised in Manchester. A former model, Merna is best known for her portrayal of Carmel McQueen in Hollyoaks and Hollyoaks Later.

Sadly, Merna saw her Hollyoaks character get "killed" by the writers and was forced to leave the soap. In 2017, she retired from acting. Married to her long-term boyfriend Ian Minton since 2012, Merna has become an online influencer and animal rights activist since leaving British TV. In 2021, she announced publically that pet owners should need to have a license before buying or adopting.

Tracy Shaw – Maxine Peacock from Coronation Street

The lovely British actress/singer Tracy Shaw was the victim of a persistent stalker that followed her around for five years before getting caught by the authorities. Strangely enough, Shaw's Coronation Street character - Maxine Peacock - also fell victim to the same sort of deranged man... In 2003, she was killed by the fictional serial killer, Richard Hillman, portrayed by Brian Capron.

Forced to abandon the soap following her character's tragic death, Shaw has appeared briefly in Doctors, Casualty, and Grease Monkeys. In 2018, she joined the cast of the horror movie Monster. She made her latest on-screen appearance in the special The Big Quiz 2020: Coronation Street vs. Emmerdale.

Kate McGregor – Emily Kirk from Emmerdale

If you don't know much about the British actress Kate McGregor, you're not alone. She portrayed the shy and naive Emily Kirk from Emmerdale between 1999 and 2008 and has virtually disappeared since. An extremely private person, McGregor is said to be married to a teacher and has more than one child, but little else is known about her family.

While not all retired soap opera actors get to say the same, McGregor has reportedly chosen to leave Emmerdale on her own terms. She believed her character's arc was over and felt the need to spend more time with her family.

June Brown - Dot Cotton from EastEnders

Dot Cotton is one of the most beloved characters in the history of British soaps, and it's no coincidence she was given her own spinoff in 2003: Dot's Story. EastEnders' second-longest-serving character, Cotton is the perfect representation of a tragicomic mother who loves to gossip.

Behind a great character, there's a great actress: the ever-young June Brown is a mother of six who's spent the last 36 years (if you exclude a six-year hiatus) working in EastEnders. She's also appeared in many popular British talk shows, including Loose Women and The One Show.

Julie Goodyear – Bet Lynch from Coronation Street

It's been a while since we last heard of Julie Goodyear. The charming British actress spent a quarter of a century portraying Bet Lynch in Coronation Street, and her character was so popular it's hard to imagine her doing anything else! She left Coronation Street in 2003 and hasn't returned to acting since the 2006 short, Tug of War.

In 2019, she was featured in the TV special documentary Coronation Street at Christmas. Still looking lovely at the advanced age of 79, Goodyear's biggest claim to fame is that her Coronation Street character inspired the flamboyant look Freddie Mercury wore in the music video to "I Want To Break Free."

Lucy Pargeter – Chas Dingle from Emmerdale

A Nottingham native, the gracious Lucy Pargeter appeared in Crossroads before joining Emmerdale to portray the character of Chas Dingle. She hasn't left the show since 2002 and has made it to her 2,300th episode of the soap earlier this year!

Whenever she feels like taking her head off the fictional Dingle family household, Pargeter loves to appear in British game shows and talk shows. She's been on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity Chase, All Star Family Fortunes, and Loose Women, just to name a few.

Ben Hardy – Peter Beale from EastEnders

Some actors are afraid to join a long-running soap opera cast out of fear of getting stuck. But, as the young English actor Ben Hardy has shown, that's probably nonsense! He joined the cast of EastEnders in 2013 and left after just two years to appear in a couple of major Hollywood films.

Now an up-and-rising movie star, Hardy has given up being Peter Beale to become Archangel in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wade Parker in Only the Brave, and Roger Taylor in Bohemian Rhapsody. He's currently working on four new projects, including a mini-series titled The Girl Before.

Ashley Slanina-Davies – Amy Barnes from Hollyoaks

The gorgeous Ashley Slanina-Davies was stunning in the fifth season of Dancing on Ice. But she's still best known for her role as Amy Barnes in the Hollyoaks soap. She worked in the show for a whole decade before seeing her character disappear in the most puzzling of ways, as an unknown assailant killed her.

While the end of Amy Barnes will hopefully not be the end of Slanina-Davies's career, the Manchester native hasn't been able to find work since. In fact, Amy is the only character she has ever portrayed on the small screen.

Ellis Hollins – Tom Cunningham from Hollyoaks

The 21-year-old Ellis Hollins was cast to play the role of Tom Cunningham when he was just a three-year-old child. It was a daring bet, but one that proved right: a talented and charismatic performer, Hollins has been perfect in the soap and has quickly become one of Hollyoaks' most promising stars.

Hollyoaks fans love Tom Cunningham so much that the character was even given his own mini-series in 2014, titled Tom's Life. Over the years, Hollins has won five British and Inside Soap Awards for Best Young Actor and was voted Soap's Greatest Child in 2009.

Sue Nicholls – Audrey Roberts from Coronation Street

The experienced Sue Nicholls tried her luck on Broadway and in the Crossroads soap before finding her true calling: portraying the recurring character of Audrey Roberts in Coronation Street. While Nicholls left for two years in 1982, she made a 1984 comeback and hasn't left since.

In total, Nicholls has made it to a whopping 3,063 Coronation Street episodes (and still counting)! She loves her Coronation Street family so much that she even married one of her co-stars, English actor Mark Eden. This year, Eden has sadly passed away after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Sheree Murphy – Tricia Dingle from Emmerdale

Besides having one of the cutest smiles in the soap opera world, the English actress Sheree Murphy is lucky enough to have participated in not one but two iconic British soaps. After portraying Emmerdale's Tricia Dingle for six years, she joined the cast of Hollyoaks for a period of roughly one year.

In 2014, an out-of-work Murphy decided to follow her husband, the former Australian soccer player Harry Kewell, to the land down under. As a result, she was cast to appear in the Aussie soap Neighbors, which was her latest acting job. She left the show's cast in 2018.

Adele Silva – Kelly Windsor from Emmerdale

We cannot wait for Adele Silva to come back to the small screen! During her time in Emmerdale, she was considered a female symbol all across the United Kingdom and appeared on the cover of multiple men's magazines. A certified bombshell, Silva is still best known for portraying Kelly Windsor, a role she abandoned in 2011.

Silva's post-Emmerdale life has been more discreet than expected. Still, the Norbury, London native made it to seven episodes of Hollyoaks and a couple of movies, including the action-comedy flick We Still Kill the Old Way. She hasn't been on camera since appearing in the 2019 short Bai Bai Barnet.

Jack P. Shepherd – David Platt from Coronation Street

The English actor Jack P. Shepherd surprised his fans by appearing in the 2021 short Drip, his first acting job outside of Coronation Street since 2016. A Best Young Actor and Best Bad Boy former winner, Shepherd is known for playing the character of David Platt, who grew up right in front of our eyes over the last 21 years.

That's right: even though Shepherd is only 33 years old, he's been portraying Platt for over half of his life now. Like many of his soap opera co-stars, Shepherd loves to appear in British talk shows. His latest was the TV special The Big Quiz 2020: Coronation Street vs. Emmerdale.

Dawn Acton – Tracy Barlow from Coronation Street

Dawn Acton's filmography doesn't look very impressive: she appeared in only one show, Coronation Street, and played only one character, Tracy Barlow. And yet, Acton's portrayal of Coronation Street's main antagonist still hasn't left the imagination of the British soap fans. It's remarkable, especially considering Acton left Coronation Street in 1999...

Now a dedicated DJ, mother, and wife, Acton decided to quit acting to explore her love for music. She's also actively involved with local charity organizations. A 44-year-old looker, Acton has most recently appeared as a guest in a 2019 episode of Lorraine.

Linda Davidson – Mary Smith from EastEnders

Before the Canadian-British actress/writer Linda Davidson showed up, it looked like soap operas and punk music didn't make for a perfect match. But fans loved Davidson's portrayal of Mary Smith, who's probably the most famous punk character in the history of British soaps.

In the late '90s, Davidson decided to quit acting to focus on a more stable career away from the cameras. She's remained involved with the industry, working in digital media for BBC and Discovery Communications. In 2019, she made a surprising one-episode comeback to EastEnders.

Eileen Derbyshire – Emily Bishop from Coronation Street

If the Coronation Street cast makes for one big family, then there's no doubt Eileen Derbyshire's the great matriarchal figure. The godmother of British soap operas, Derbyshire portrayed Emily Bishop for an unbelievable 55 years before retiring in 2016. Believe it or not, she made her first appearance in the show in 1961!

Now enjoying her well-deserved retirement, Derbyshire has confessed that she's not thinking of coming back to the small screen, mostly due to her advanced age. Still, she made a Coronation Street cameo in 2019. In 2010, she was presented with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Beverley Callard – Liz McDonald from Coronation Street

In 2020, the vibrant Beverley Callard was just the third celebrity to be voted out of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! But during her time in Coronation Street, she managed to stay on track for over 2,300 episodes before leaving. Her legacy is impressive, and her soap character, Liz McDonald, was at the center of countless romances, feuds, and plot twists.

While she's an extremely positive person, Callard's life has been far from easy. She was married to an "alcohol-induced violent" man, suffered an abortion, was treated for cervical cancer, and lost 40% of her earnings in the aftermath of a 2008 Coronation Street credit crunch.

Steven Arnold – Ashley Peacock from Coronation Street

Weirdly enough, the 50th anniversary of Coronation Street was "celebrated" with a tram-crash episode that resulted in the death of Ashley Peacock. Before passing away, the beloved soap character was portrayed by the experienced English actor Steven Arnold.

While Peacock remains Arnold's most notable role, it's far from being the only! Unlike other soap stars, Arnold has proven to be a versatile and prolific performer, who's appeared in movies such as Hooked, Street Girl, and This Is Jayden: The One Hit Wonder. In 2021, he's set to appear in a new series titled The Book, just one in over 20 upcoming productions on Arnold's schedule.

Charles Lawson – Jim McDonald from Coronation Street

Between 1989 and 2018, the British actor Charles Lawson was busy portraying Jim McDonald, arguably one of the unluckiest characters in Coronation Street history. A no-nonsense kind of fellow, McDonald was often involved in crimes and forced to spend time in jail.

While Lawson suffered a minor on-stage stroke in 2018, there's no evidence showing his departure from Coronation Street was linked to health reasons. In fact, Lawson is already planning his return to the screen, as he's set to appear in the upcoming short Tell-Tale W*nk. A Northern Ireland native, Lawson has one daughter and resides in Belfast with his partner Debbie Stanley.

William Roache – Ken Barlow from Coronation Street

You don't need to be a big soap opera fan to know who William Roache is. This small-screen legend is the longest-serving male television star in a continuous role and is still adding up to the record. In 2021, he appeared as Ken Barlow on Coronation Street for the 4,070th time! That's the equivalent of filming one episode per day for 11.1 years straight!

Playing the political activist Barlow since 1960, Roache has built an extraordinary legacy for himself in the soap world. Before becoming a small-screen icon, he served as a Captain in the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Malcolm Hebden – Norris Cole from Coronation Street

The English TV/stage actor Malcolm Hebden was perfect in the role of Norris Cole, a Coronation Street character that kept on coming and going: he left the series in 1997 to return in 1999, and again in 2017 to return in 2019. Last year, the Coronation Street fans said goodbye to Cole for one last time, as Hebden announced his retirement from acting at 81.

Besides appearing in over 1,600 Coronation Street episodes, Hebden also worked in the TV series Crown Court, Spyship, and A Bit of a Do.

Pam St. Clement - Pat Butcher from EastEnders

Another bonafide British soap legend, the ever-charming Pam St. Clement, has still not announced her retirement. Still, she's been away from the set since appearing in a 2017 episode of Casualty. She's known for portraying the character of Pat Butcher in EastEnders between 1986 and 2012. That same year, she was granted the British Soap Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.

Born in Harrow on the Hill in 1942, St. Clement studied to become a teacher but never embraced the job. A modern 79-year-old woman, St. Clement has admitted to being romantically attracted to both men and women and is an outspoken supporter of gay rights.

Peter Dean - Peter Beale from EastEnders

Not long after appearing on Law & Order (the 1978 BBC show, not the American cop drama), the English actor Peter Dean landed the best-known role of his career: Peter Beale, from EastEnders. Before, he played two short-lived characters in Coronation Street, Fangio and Jeff Bateman, who made it to only three episodes.

Peter Beale was on EastEnders between 1985 and 1995, the year he died in a tragic car accident. After EastEnders, Dean appeared in many TV movies and series, including Bo' Selecta! and Diamond Ice'd. He hasn't been on camera since 2016, but he's currently working in the to-be-released drama Freedom Dance.

Deena Payne – Viv Hope from Emmerdale

After brief appearances in The Bill, and TV Burp, the English actress/former singer Deena Payne was given a chance to portray Viv Hope in the Emmerdale soap. Hope was a hit and made it to over 1,070 episodes of the show between 1993 and 2011. Her character was known for being the backbone of the Windsor family and was killed off in a fire.

Following her departure from Emmerdale roughly ten years ago, Payne has been having difficulty finding new acting gigs, but she did appear briefly in Crime Stories and Doctors. During her time as a singer, Payne performed with the girl band Cats UK.

Adam Woodyatt - Ian Beale from EastEnders

Adam Woodyatt is the longest-serving cast member of the EastEnders soap, and he's been playing the character of Ian Beale since the series' very first episode, in 1985. Today, it's almost impossible to imagine the iconic soap without the equally iconic Woodyatt, who's portrayed Ian Beale in a whopping 3,963 episodes!

Beale's final days at EastEnders may have aired in 2021, though. Last year, it was confirmed that Woodyatt wanted to take a much-deserved break from the soap and asked for his character to be written out. A father of two, Woodyatt has also appeared in the 2019 edition of Celebrity Masterchef as a contestant.

Wendy Richard - Pauline Fowler from EastEnders

Wendy Richard may have passed away in 2009, but she was a survivor throughout her entire life. She fought hard against her breast cancer diagnosis, struggled with her father's suicide, and was physically abused by one of her four husbands. In the meantime, she became a British TV legend with 64 acting credits to her name.

She appeared in The Newcomers, Are You Being Served?, and Dad's Army. But she's mainly known for her role as Pauline Fowler in EastEnders. She made it to over 2,000 episodes of the soap between 1985 and 2006 and received the British Soap Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Stephen McGann – Sean Reynolds from Emmerdale

Stephen McGann isn't your typical British soap opera star. While he portrayed Emmerdale's Sean Reynolds for almost 90 episodes, he moved on to a new exciting role since departing the series in 2002: he became Dr. Patrick Turner in the BBC One period drama Call the Midwife, written by his wife, Heidi Thomas.

Besides being a popular theatre and screen actor, McGann is also a science communicator. He has discussed the medical accuracy of Call the Midwife as a guest speaker at the Cambridge Science Festival. McGann's brothers Joe, Paul, and Mark also work in show business.

Simon Gregson – Steve McDonald from Coronation Street

A Manchester native, Simon Gregson portrays Steve McDonald, who's famous for being Coronation Street's "most married" character. In total, McDonald tied the knot a whopping seven times over the last 32 years. Luckily, Gregson's been happily married to his first wife, Emma Gleave, since 2010.

A recurring character in Coronation Street, McDonald has appeared in over 3,000 episodes between 1989 and 2021. Gregson has made it to many British talk shows, and games shows with little time to embrace other acting projects. In 2021, he appeared as a contestant in Celebrity Catchphrase.

Lucy Benjamin – Lisa Fowler from EastEnders

We've been exploring the lives and careers of some of Britain's most popular actors. Still, the lovely Lucy Benjamin has actually received a nomination for Most Popular Actress at the 2001 National Television Awards. Known for her successful stints in The X Factor: Battle of the Stars and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Benjamin's been mainly busy portraying the EastEnders character of Lisa Fowler.

She was given the role in 1998 after appearing in the series Close to Home, Press Gang, and Jupiter Moon. Now 51 years old, Benjamin is currently working in the new sports-inspired comedy-drama Game of Two Halves, set to be released in 2021.

Tom Watt - Lofty Holloway from EastEnders

In the mid-'80s, a young Tom Watt made his EastEnders debut as Lofty Holloway, a character generally depicted as a sensitive man with little to no luck. Watt and Lofty remained in the show until 1988 and made a surprising 2019 comeback to attend Dr. Harold Legg's funeral.

While it's sad that Lofty made it to less than 300 EastEnders episodes, Watt has managed to continue to work as an actor and has made a name for himself as a radio host and sports documentary host/writer. Away from the small screen since his 2019 cameo, Watt has also appeared in the blockbusters Sherlock Holmes and The Electrician.

Helen Worth – Gail Platt from Coronation Street

The best thing about soaps is that we get to see some actors grow up right before our eyes. That's exactly what happened with the beautiful Helen Worth, who's been portraying Coronation Street's Gail Platt since 1974! Platt is the fourth longest-running character in the show, only behind the legendary Ken Barlow, Emily Bishop, and Rita Sullivan.

In 2021, Worth appeared in her 3,700th episode of Coronation Street. Earlier this year, she also made it to an episode of This Morning and the TV special Johnny Briggs: Coronation Street Legend. A Born Free Foundation patron, Worth is an animal rights activist.

Wendi Peters - Cilla Battersby-Brown from Coronation Street

After appearing in plays and musicals, the English actress Wendi Peters embraced her best-known acting role. In 2003, she was cast as Coronation Street's Cilla Battersby-Brown, a kind of mean character known for her many scamming plots. Battersby-Brown left the soap in 2007 but came back for a short run of episodes in 2014.

Besides acting, Peters is also a talented singer and, as seen on her Celebrity Masterchef appearance, a fine cook! Her vast experience and charisma have allowed her to land many significant roles since leaving Coronation Street, including Hacker Time, Hetty Feather, and the upcoming drama Swim.

John Altman - Nick Cotton from EastEnders

At the age of 69, the ever-young John Altman has decided to let go of the leather jacket, but he's still ready to rock! In fact, he was once the frontman of the well-established British glam-rock act Heavy Metal Kids. But the fans know Altman mainly for his long run in EastEnders. He portrayed the character of Nick Cotton between 1985 and 2015.

Cotton was an on-and-off EastEnders character who met his tragic fate (dying from substance abuse) in the soap's 30th-anniversary episode. It was the end of an era but a new beginning to Altman, who has since worked in Lucas and Albert, This Is Now, and Unsinkable.

Anita Dobson - Angie Watts from EastEnders

The English actress Anita Dobson decided to quit EastEnders in 1988, just three years after first joining the soap. She portrayed the cheeky Angie Watts, a beloved character known for her perm and joyful banter. After leaving EastEnders in the late '80s, Dobson worked in Smokescreen, Casualty, Gigglebiz, and The Rebel (amongst others).

Music is also a big part of Dobson's life. Not only because she's married to the legendary Queen guitarist Brian May, but also because she once topped the charts with the EastEnders-inspired song "Anyone Can Fall in Love." Additionally, Dobson's been busy working on the upcoming musical film Tomorrow Morning.

Shirley Cheriton - Debbie Wilkins from EastEnders

When the gorgeous Shirley Cheriton landed the part of Debbie Wilkins in EastEnders, she already was a well-established British actress. She was known for her appearances in Angels and Raven and looked great in the shoes of a snobby character who was a bit too much for the good, working-class people of Albert Square (EastEnders' fictional borough).

Cheriton left EastEnders in 1987 to pursue other roles and made it most notably to Grace & Saviour. She has virtually disappeared from show business since 2009 and, while she never made it official, she's most likely retired by now. Still a looker, Cheriton has recently celebrated her 66th birthday.

Ryan Thomas – Jason Grimshaw from Coronation Street

If you're a big fan of Ryan Thomas, you may feel sad to hear that he's decided to quit acting in 2021 after losing "the bug for it." But while the bug was still around, Thomas was a very successful English performer, best known for his 16-year rendition of the Coronation Street character Jason Grimshaw.

Before retiring, Thomas appeared in the Australian soap Neighbors and made it to a couple of TV movies, including 2010's Coronation Street: Tram Crash. Still, Thomas' biggest claim to fame happened in 2018, the year he won the final edition of Celebrity Big Brother.

Tina O’Brien – Sarah Platt from Coronation Street

In 1999, the lovely Tina O'Brien was cast for the part of Sarah Platt. Platt was previously portrayed by the child actress Lynsay King. In 2007, O'Brien left the soap, but she made a 2015 comeback and is still going strong today. As of 2021, she has appeared in a whopping 1,614 Coronation Street episodes!

While Coronation Street is by far O'Brien's most important acting project, she has also appeared in Waterloo Road, Casualty, and others. While the soap opera world is filled with beautiful women, O'Brien was actually voted one of FHM's 100 steamiest women alive not once but twice!

Kellie Bright - Linda Carter from EastEnders

Talent meets beauty in Kelly Bright, an English actress who's spent the last eight years of her career portraying the character of Linda Carter in EastEnders. She was a recognizable screen performer even before joining the soap, though, as she'd worked in Bad Girls, Ali G, Horde & Corden, and The House That Jack Built (just to name a few).

An award-winning soap superstar, Bright is a few episodes away from reaching the landmark of 1,000 EastEnders appearances. A 45-year-old woman at her prime, Bright was also popularized by her successful Strictly Come Dancing participation, in which she was the runner-up.

Lacey Turner - Stacey Slater from EastEnders

The fact that the English actress Lacey Turner has won over 30 awards should be enough to speak for her outstanding acting ability. But if you really want to check her out, you just need to tune in to one of the last 1,445 episodes of EastEnders. She's been the feisty Slater family teenager Stacey since 2004 and has done remarkably well.

A beautiful and hardworking 33-year-old, Turner has somehow managed to make it to 20 other acting productions while working in EastEnders. A happily married mother of two, Turner has appeared as a guest in a 2021 episode of Loose Women.

Shona McGarty - Whitney Dean from EastEnders

Besides having the biggest blue eyes in the soap opera world, the English actress Shona McGarty has been great in the role of Whitney Dean. A woman deeply troubled by her dysfunctional family, Dean has been at the center of many demanding plots that tackle topics as complex as abuse, miscarriage, and failed relationships.

McGarty joined the soap in 2008 and hasn't left since. One of EastEnders' prime stars, she has also appeared in the TV series Children in Need and Lauren's Diary. A former Strictly Come Dancing celeb guest, McGarty has recently appeared in a 2021 episode of the Morning Live talk show.

Louisa Lytton - Ruby Allen from EastEnders

A Camden native, the beautiful Louisa Lytton has spent the last 16 years in the role of Ruby Allen. Her character did leave EastEnders in 2006 but came back in 2018. After her return, Allen was at the center of a special episode about the topic of romantic consent, which was praised by viewers and critics alike.

While Lytton is best known for her EastEnders role, she worked extensively in the cop-drama The Bill, portraying the character of Beth Green between 1997 and 2009. A talented singer, Lytton performed as Betty Rizzo in a Grease stage production and represented the United Kingdom in the 2008 Eurovision Dance Contest.

Maddy Hill - Nancy Carter from EastEnders

The English actress Maddy Hill is mainly known for two roles. She's portrayed the character of Nancy Carter, from EastEnders, between 2014 and 2016, and she also played the paramedic Ruby Spark, from Casualty, between 2018 and 2020.

In 2021, it was announced that Hill would be coming back to EastEnders to portray Nancy Carter once again. She has since made her much-awaited soap comeback, and Hill has stated that she's "grateful" to return to the show. At the crucial age of 31, Hill seems ready to finally take the soap opera world by storm.

Amanda Holden - Millie Dillmount From Thoroughly Modern Millie

If not for her work as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, you may recognize Amanda Holden from her portrayal of the titular role in Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2004. She was much younger at the time, 33 years old, to be precise. Somehow, her youthfulness has followed her into her 50s as well.

Have you ever noticed how Holden always has that beautiful sun-kissed look? Well, according to Hello magazine, she is a fan of minimal makeup and usually dabs on a little blush to make her face look more fresh. However, her biggest beauty secret is a non-surgical procedure similar to micro-needling.

Juno Temple - Jamie Vine from Vinyl

With a producer mother and a director father, it wasn't surprising that Juno Temple followed in her parents' footsteps. She knew that she wanted to pursue this path when she reached 15, and soon after, she carved her path in the industry by starring in "Notes on a Scandal" as Cate Blanchett's daughter.

As such, Temple's fans have seen how she grew up to become an established beautiful actress, now known for her credits like "Little Birds" and "Dirty John." This might be because she is a huge fan of removing cosmetics from her face before hitting the hay. 

Ellie Taylor - Poppy from Brotherhood

TV viewers may have only gotten wind of Ellie Taylor in 2013 after she appeared in the show "Family Tree," but the comedian has long been working in the entertainment industry. She made waves after appearing in the program "Show Me The Funny" in 2011 and became the host of "Snog Marry Avoid?" in the following year.

The glowing celebrity, who has one child with reporter Phil Black, loves motherhood so much that she revealed with an interview with Grazia Daily that the little girl is what keeps her smiling early in the morning. Taylor, who stars in the show "Ted Lasso," also practices Mutu, a home workout system.

Lena Headey - Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones

Actress Lena Headey, perhaps best known for playing the villain Cersei Lannister in the hit HBO show "Game of Thrones" is not one to hold back when it comes to showing her real skin; whether her fans love them or not. In February 2019, she lambasted naysayers who told her to wear makeup when filming Instagram videos.

Headey, who starred as Morgana in the show "Wizards" and Maudra Fara in "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance," also has a big heart. In 2020, she became an ambassador for Haircuts4Homeless charity in order to promote hairdressers who give professional help to those in need.

Samantha Spiro - Kate from Semi-Detached

English actress Samantha Spiro was just 10 when she was inspired to pursue acting after seeing "Androcles and the Lion," and indeed, she went on to have a successful career in theater. She also became a big star once she entered the world of television, appearing in programs like "M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team" and "Tracey Ullman's Show."

The youthful star continues to bag memorable projects, including in 2016 as Melessa Tarly in "Game of Thrones." Spiro is not just memorable for her flawless beauty but also for her impeccable performance on stage, evidenced by her Laurence Olivier Awards.

Rakhee Thakrar - Shabnam Masood from Eastenders

Actress Rakhee Thakrar may be known for her playing Emily Sands in the Netflix show S** Education since 2019, but she used to be a cast member of the soap opera "EastEnders." In the BBC One program, she initially played Zahra Ahmadi but exited after she said her character wasn't given any significant storyline before coming back in 2014 as Shabnam Masood.

Since she entered the TV and film industries in the 2000s, fans have seen how she transformed for every role she bagged. Thakrar also appeared in the movies "Those Four Walls," "23 Walks," and "Summerland."

Jaime Murray – Gaia from Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

Jaime Murray was named after the "The Bionic Woman" actress Jaime Sommers and her father is actor Billy Murray, so it seems she's destined for greatness. Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia and only being active since 2001, she has already made a name for herself in the acting industry.

Murray has starred in the BBC show "Hustle" as Stacie Monroe and Showtime's "Dexter" as Lila West. She also played Gaia in the Starz mini-series "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena." The English actress is still as gorgeous as ever and is a loving wife to Bernie Cahill, an entertainment management company co-partner.

Catherine Zeta-Jones – Elena Montero from The Mask of Zorro

Catherine Zeta-Jones is a Welsh star that has proven her acting chops to the world by bagging herself an Academy Award and a Tony Award, among others. You might've seen her do her thing on big movies like "Chicago," "Entrapment," and she even starred in the "Prodigal Son" TV series.

Still, Elena Montero of "The Mask of Zorro" has got to be one of her most memorable roles. September 25 is the birthday that Zeta-Jones shares with her husband of 21 years, Michael Douglas. They are parents to two beautiful children named Carys and Dylan.

Raquel Welch – Maria Stoner from Bandolero!

Page Six was able to catch Raquel Welch in September 2021 while she was at Beverly Hills after about two years of dodging the public eye. We last saw her appear in front of the screens in 2019 when she got interviewed by U.K.'s Sunday Post.

Welch first gained recognition for her appearance in the 1966 film "Fantastic Voyage." It led to a 20th Century Fox contract deal, which made way for her to star in "One Million Years B.C." that same year. That project and the fur bikini she wore on it solidified her status as a '60s feminine symbol.

Elin Nordegren – Herself from Tiger

The marriage between Elin Nordegren and the professional golfer Tiger Woods may not have ended on good terms. Still, the two are now getting along as co-parents to their two children, Sam Alexis and Charlie Axel. Also, she's already in a happy union with Jordan Cameron. The former football tight end is the dad of her kid named Arthur.

Nordegren, a nanny and a model at one point in her life, participated in "Tiger," a 2021 HBO documentary. Aside from the Swedish beauty, Woods' ex-mistress, Rachel Uchitel, also took part in the docu-series, revealing details about her connection to the golf star.

Elizabeth Hurley – Vanessa Kensington from Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

What?! Elizabeth Hurley is in her 50s! Yes, she is, and she's thriving in this era of hers by showcasing her good looks and physique via Elizabeth Hurley Beach, her swimwear line. She models the garments herself, as proven by the Instagram Stories she shares with her fans.

Hurley entered the acting game with characters like Vanessa Kensington and the actual Devil in films like "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" and "Bedazzled," respectively. As per The Cut, her secret to maintaining her health and beauty is omitting chemicals- and additives-filled foods.

Lisa Armstrong – Makeup Designer from Strictly Come Dancing

The pop band Deuce introduced us to Lisa Armstrong, who eventually made a name for herself in the world of makeup artistry. She became an expert in the craft for ITV shows like "This Morning" and "Pick Me." Other programs she worked on were "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

After her marriage with host Ant McPartlin ended in 2018, Armstrong found a loving relationship with James Green. Their meet-cute happened in 2020, and since then, The BRIT School graduate and the electrician have enjoyed each other's company.

Michael Caton - Age 78

Michael Caton is a well-known Australian actor best known for roles as Uncle Harry in the series "The Sullivans" and Ted Taylor in "Packed to the Rafters." He has also had notable film roles. One was in a hit TV film called "The Castle," the other is called "Last Cab to Darwin," for which he earned an  AACTA Award nomination.

He also earned an  Australian Film Institute award for and a Logie. Despite never winning an award, he did was inducted into the Australian Film Walk of Fame for his work in TV and film. He returned as Ted Taylor in a spinoff show called "Back to the Rafters."

 

Lucy Lawless – Xena from" Xena: Warrior Princess"

Lucille Frances Lawless is a New Zealand actress worthy of her role as Xena in "Xena: Warrior Princess." In January 2021, she stood up to the man who played Hercules, Kevin Sorbo, on the Capitol Riots in the United States. She did not hold back when she condemned Sorbo for his views that the Democrats caused the riot.

Even though more than three decades have passed, she has been a regular beauty on our screens, capturing other significant roles like Lucretia in "Spartacus." It seems like she will grace our screens for more years to come!

Jodie Kidd – Tracey from "Mad Cows"

Jodie Elizabeth Kidd, long ago, was on a beach in Barbados. Terry O'Neil, who just happened to be a photographer, spotted her. She was only 16, but from that encounter, she would go on to feature in campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent to Chloe. But when she was 19, she quit.

Kidd has, in 2021, been speaking of her return to the quiet life after quitting the modeling industry. She doesn't want to go back since the time away has been good to her. To support herself, she has turned to entrepreneurship and sells beauty boxes. Owing to her continued flawlessness, she surely uses them herself!

Linda Evangelista – As Herself from "Models: The Film"

Linda Evangelista has been featured in over 700 magazine covers. That's, on average, a cover every week for just over 13 years! She has not branched into other professional areas after her career, unlike many former models.

She has been quite an important face for women's beauty in 2021. She has put issues surrounding women's beauty standards in the spotlight. Despite cultural advancements in the acceptance of different body shapes and sizes, certain beauty standards remain that drive feelings of insecurity. Here's to hoping that Evangelista can lend her voice to change that!