SOAPER-STARS
10 longest-serving soap stars in Britain – from Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale to William Roache as Ken Barlow
EASTENDERS wouldn't be EastEnders without Phil Mitchell or Dot Branning and it feels like they've been in Walford for an eternity.
But did you know stars Steve McFadden and June Brown aren't even in the top 10 longest-serving stars currently in a UK soap - or the top 20 of all time?
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Walford hardman Phil Mitchell has been the focus of over 50% of all EastEnders episodes over Steve McFadden's 25-year career playing the legendary role.
But he's not served for nearly as many years as the top 10 stars in the world of soaps.
As it's Britain's longest-running soap, it's no surprise Coronation Street stars dominate the top 10 longest-serving actors, taking seven of the prestigious spots.
Emmerdale, EastEnders and Casualty feature as well - while Welsh language soap Pobol y Cwm snags a few places for all-time longest-serving actors.
10) Simon Gregson - Steve McDonald, Coronation Street
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Simon Gregson has been a Corrie legend since he arrived on the scene in 1989. He's been playing the same role for 27 years.
Steve's most notable storylines focus on his many wives. In August 2017 he looked to have found love for the sixth time with baby mama Leanne Battersby as she agreed to a wedding.
The hapless character has also been married to Vicky Arden, Karen Phillips (twice!), Becky Granger, Tracy Barlow and Michelle Connor. Well, if at first you don't succeed...
9) Derek Thompson - Charlie Fairhead, Casualty
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Charlie Fairhead is the only Casualty character to have appeared on the A&E based show continously since it first aired in September 1986. Derek Thompson has been in the role for over 30 years.
Charlie is known as the glue that holds the emergency department together, working as an emergency nurse to help patients as they first enter A&E.
Derek's time on the soap has literally paid off for him, as he was revealed as the BBC's highest paid actor in 2017, with a £399,999 annual salary.
8) Christopher Chittell - Eric Pollard, Emmerdale
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Christopher Chittell is Emmerdale's longest-serving actor ever, having played Eric Pollard for 31 years.
He originally served as the villain of the soap, noted for his fiery feuds with other characters that have resulted in him being punched by over 30 different characters during his time on the soap!
7) Sally Dynevor - Sally Metcalfe, Coronation Street
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Having starred in the soap since 1986, when she was introduced as a love interest for Kevin Webster, Sally Dynevor's role has lasted for 31 years.
In 2017 Sally was at the centre of a horrifying stalking storyline. She had received anonymous death threats from a mystery stalker - who turned out to be very close to home.
Doting husband Tim Metcalfe played sleuth as they worked to discover who had threatened the local councillor - though she was more famously married to Kevin Webster.
6) Adam Woodyatt - Ian Beale, EastEnders
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Ian Beale has been part of EastEnders since the very first episode, way back in 1985.
That means actor Adam Woodyatt has been part of the soap for 32 years - and they've certainly been dramatic for the iconic character.
He's the soap's most-married character with four different wives: Cindy Williams, Melanie Healy, Laura Dunn, and Jane Collins (twice).
While in recent years fans have been shocked by the drama of his daughter Lucy Beale being murdered and wife Jane severely beaten up by his son Bobby Beale.
5) Michael Le Vell - Kevin Webster, Coronation Street
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Since moving to Weatherfield as Hilda Ogden's lodger in 1983, Kevin Webster has become a Coronation Street stalwart.
Michael Le Vell has been in the role for 33 years.
His on-off relationship with Sally Metcalfe used to dominate - though they finally split in 2009 when Kevin's affair with Molly Dobbs resulted in a love child.
4) Sue Nicholls - Audrey Roberts, Coronation Street
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Another Corrie legend - Sue Nicholls has played Audrey Roberts since 1979, meaning she's been in the role for 33 years.
She originally appeared for the occasional episode, but was brought in as a series regular in 1985.
Gail Platt's mum has followed her daughter's lead in having as many surnames as hot dinners on the show, marrying Alf Roberts, Bill Webster, and Lewis Archer.
3) Helen Worth - Gail Platt, Coronation Street
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Gail Platt is another iconic Corrie character whose absence would completely change the show.
Over the last 42 years, we've seen Gail deal with being accused of murder, finding son David after he attempted suicide and the murder of husband Michael Rodwell in December 2016.
Gail is played by Helen Worth.
2) Barbara Knox - Rita Tanner, Coronation Street
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Soap stalwart Barbara Knox has been playing Rita Tanner for 45 years. She first joined the soap in 1964, but quickly disappeared before returning for good in 1972.
In 2017 it was revealed that Rita was headed for a dementia diagnosis, without her old sidekick Norris Cole to lean on, in a tragic blow for the character - and for fans.
The star also became an internet sensation in June 2017 as she danced to Beyoncé after having one too many drinks in the Rover's Return.
1) William Roache - Ken Barlow, Coronation Street
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Whether you watch Corrie or not, you'll know Ken Barlow is a veritable soap icon.
Actor William Roache has been playing the legendary role for a whopping 56 years, starting out in 1960. He took a short break from the soap in 2013, but fans breathed a sigh of relief when he made his return the following year.
One worrying moment for Ken came in March 2017 when it looked like he was set to be killed off as he was pushed down the stairs by a family member.
Fortunately the fan favourite survived - and was thrust to the centre of the soap as part of a huge whodunnit to work out who tried to kill Ken.
20 all-time longest serving soap stars
1. William Roache - Ken Barlow, Coronation Street
56 years
2. Eileen Derbyshire - Emily Bishop, Coronation Street
53 years (departed 2016)
3. Barbara Knox - Rita Tanner, Coronation Street
45 years
4. Helen Worth - Gail Platt, Coronation Street
42 years
5. Betty Driver - Betty Williams, Coronation Street
42 years (departed 2011)
6. Anne Kirkbride - Deirdre Barlow, Coronation Street
40 years (departed 2014)
7. Gareth Lewis - Meic Pearce, Pobol y Cwm
40 years (departed 2015)
8. Sue Nicholls - Audrey Roberts, Coronation Street
33 years
9. Michael Le Vell - Kevin Webster, Coronation Street
33 years
10. Adam Woodyatt - Ian Beale, EastEnders
32 years
11. Elizabeth Dawn - Vera Duckworth, Coronation Street
32 years (departed 2010)
12. Sally Dynevor - Sally Metcalfe, Coronation Street
31 years
13. Christopher Chittell - Eric Pollard, Emmerdale
31 years
14. Richard Thorp - Alan Turner, Emmerdale
31 years (departed 2013)
15. Derek Thompson - Charlie Fairhead, Casualty
30 years
16. Johnny Briggs - Mike Baldwin, Coronation Street
30 years (departed 2006)
17. Huw Ceredig - Reg Harries, Pobol y Cwm
29 years (departed 2003)
18. Bill Tarmey - Jack Duckworth, Coronation Street
28 years (departed 2010)
19. Gwyn Elfyn - Denzil Rees, Pobol y Cwm
28 years (departed 2012)
20. Clive Hornby - Jack Sugden, Emmerdale
28 years (departed 2008)
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