Bill Roache(01 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Ken Barlow (1960 - Present, 'Coronation Street')
William, or Bill as he's known, was one of the original stars in Tony Warren's series. In the decades since, we've seen his character marry four different women, though Deirdre Barlow will always be his soulmate. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Adam Woodyatt(02 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Ian Beale (1985 - Present, 'EastEnders')
Not only is Ian the longest-serving 'EastEnders' character, but he's also the most married, following five ceremonies - though he did marry Jane twice. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
Chrisopher Chittell(03 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Eric Pollard (1986 - Present, 'Emmerdale')
Pollard has been at the centre of many big storylines, but none were more touching than his - often hilarious -relationship with Val. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Eileen Derbyshire(04 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Emily Bishop (1960 - Present, 'Coronation Street')
Emily is the longest-standing female character in 'Corrie', and though she's taken a handful of breaks from the soap, actress Eileen has always returned to t'cobbles. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Pam St Clement(05 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Pat Butcher (1986 - 2012, 2016, 'EastEnders')
We thought we'd seen the last of Pat in 2012, when she was killed off in emotional scenes. Little did we know, she'd be back for Peggy Mitchell's farewell. (credit:News (UK) Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
Barbara Knox(06 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Rita Tanner (1964, 1972 - Present, 'Coronation Street')
After making a brief appearance in 1964, Barbara returned to the soap just under a decade later. (credit:Ben Curtis/PA Archive)
Richard Thorp(07 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Alan Turner (1982 - 2013, 'Emmerdale')
Richard made his last appearance in the soap in July 2013, and his character was killed off, off-screen, three months later. Sadly, the actor then died in late October. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Betty Driver(08 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Betty Williams (1969 - 2011, 'Coronation Street')
Hotpot, anyone? (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Wendy Richard(09 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Pauline Fowler (1985 - 2006, 'EastEnders')
The formidable Pauline was one of Walford's most-loved matriarchs. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
Stan Richards(10 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Seth Armstrong (1978 - 2003, 2004, 'Emmerdale')
The role was at first a bit part but due to Stan's popularity, he stayed in the Dales. And it simply wouldn't have been the same without him. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Steve McFadden(11 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Phil Mitchell (1990 - 2003, 2005 - Present)
Steve was honoured for his work on the soap at the 2016 British Soap Awards, where he received the Outstanding Achievement Award. (credit:Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock)
Sheila Mercier(12 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Annie Sugden (1972 - 1994, 1995, 1996, 2009, 'Emmerdale')
What would Annie make of what her grandsons Robert and Andy are getting up to at the moment? (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Helen Worth(13 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Gail Platt (1974, 1975 - Present, 'Coronation Street')
Over the years, Gail has had to deal with many unexpected moments, and Tina O'Brien's (pictured) teen pregnancy was just one of many that hit headlines. (credit:WHAT'S ON TV/REX/Shutterstock)
Clive Horby(14 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Jack Sugden (1980 - 2008, 'Emmerdale')
Between 1972 and 1976, the role was played by actor Andrew Burt, but Clive made it his own when he arrived in the Dales. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
June Brown(15 of15)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Dot Cotton (1985 - 1993, 1997 - 2012, 2013 - Present)
Words cannot even express how grateful we are to have Dot in the Square. (credit:BBC)