Sophie Powles(01 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Holly Barton (2009–2012, 2016)
Sophie made a triumphant return to the soap in 2016, but it ended in tragedy for her character, whose drug addiction resulted in her death.
During her break, Sophie journeyed all over the world, and after leaving the soap for good, she began travelling around the UK. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Patsy Kensit(02 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Sadie King (2004-2006)
Patsy's popped up in a number of places since her stint on the show, including 2015's 'Celebrity Big Brother'. She also starred in 'Holby City' from 2007 to 2010. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP)
Bill Ward(03 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: James Barton (2013–2016)
Bill appeared in panto during the 2016 festive period, before spending more time at home with his family. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
James Sutton(04 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Ryan Lamb (2009–2011)
After leaving the Dales, James returned to 'Hollyoaks, playing his original soap role, John-Paul McQueen. (credit:Lindsey Parnaby via Getty Images)
Paul Loughran(05 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Butch Dingle (1994–2000)
Paul is yet another star to switch soaps, and popped up in 'Coronation Street' as Craig Tinker's imprisoned dad in 2016. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Amy Nuttall(06 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Chloe Atkinson (2000–2005)
Amy's another successful 'Emmerdale' export, and many TV fans will recognise her thanks to her roles in (*deep breath*) 'Hotel Babylon', 'Downton Abbey', 'New Tricks', 'Death In Paradise' and 'The Musketeers', to name a few. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Kate McGregor(07 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Emily Kirk (1999-2005, 2006-2008)
After quitting the soap, Kate has returned to the Dales on a couple of occasions. However she's never made a full comeback, and since 'Emmerdale', she hasn't appeared on TV screens again. (credit:Tim Whitby/PA Archive)
Tom Lister(08 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Carl King (2004–2012)
Tom seems to have put acting on the back-burner recently, and judging from his Twitter, he spends a lot of time working with the charity Hope For Justice.
He's also in a band, named Edna's Hat, with a number of his former co-stars. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Claire King(09 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Kim Tate (1989-1999)
After ten years on the soap, resident bad girl Kim left and (appropriately) joined the cast of prison drama 'Bad Girls'. Claire then appeared in 'Hollyoaks' as Andrea Mason from 2005 to 2012, before joining the cast of 'Coronation Street' in 2014. (credit:Ben Stansall via Getty Images)
Peter Amory(10 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Chris Tate (1989-2003)
Peter has swapped the small screen for the stage, appearing in a number of small productions. (credit:Fiona Hanson/PA Archive)
Ayden Callaghan(11 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Miles De Souza (2007–2008)
Ayden didn't stick around in the Dales for long, and will be more familiar to 'Hollyoaks' fans, thanks to his star turn as Joe Roscoe. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Nicola Stephenson(12 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Tess Harris (2015–2016)
Nicola landed a role in the 2017 reboot of 'The Worst Witch', starring as Ms Hubble. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Sammy Winward(13 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Katie Sugden (2001–2015)
When Katie was killed off, Sammy soon landed a role in the TV miniseries 'Prey'. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Verity Rushworth(14 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Donna Windsor (1993–2009, 2014)
After five years off, Verity reprised her role for a few months in 2014, ahead of the character's death.
During her time away from the soap, Verity trod the boards, playing Maria in 'The Sound Of Music', while the show was on tour, and later took the lead in 'Breakfast At Tiffany's', before welcoming her first child in August 2016. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Cleveland Campbell(15 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Danny Daggert (2001–06, 2007)
Cleveland appeared in 'The Bill' shortly after leaving the Dales. He's also popped up on the TV series 'Doctors' and 'Sunshine'. (credit:David Fisher/REX)
Kelvin Fletcher(16 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Andy Sugden (1996–2016)
After 20 years in the land of soaps, Kelvin decided to give something new a go and began a new career as a race car driver in 2017. (credit:Ker Robertson via Getty Images)
Chelsea Halfpenny (17 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Amy Wyatt (2010–13)
Prior to her primetime big break on 'Emmerdale', Chelsea starred in the popular TV show 'Byker Grove'. In 2015, she then joined the cast of 'Casualty', playing Alicia Munroe. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Kirsty-Leigh Porter(18 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Roz Fielding (2010–2011, 2012)
Kirsty has starred in three British soaps, thanks to a brief spell in 'Corrie' before 'Emmerdale', and a regular role in 'Hollyoaks' from 2013. (credit:Luca Teuchmann via Getty Images)
Bobby Knutt(19 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Albert Dingle (1995–98, 2004)
Bobby's been a regular on the panto circuit for years, and in 2008 he published his autobiography, which was followed by a sequel in 2010.
He also lends his voice to the Tetley Tea ads. (credit:ITV/REX)
Sally Ann Matthews(20 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Sandra Briggs (2005–2006)
Sally began calling Weatherfield home again in 2015, returning as Jenny Bradley. (credit:Anthony Harvey via Getty Images)
Adele Silva(21 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Kelly Windsor (1993–2000, 2005–07, 2011)
Troublemaker Kelly returned to cause havoc in the village a number of times but since turning her back on the village, she's given a few other things a go, landing roles in 'Hollyoaks' and 'Casualty', as well as starring in the interestingly titled 'Strippers vs Werewolves'. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Stephen McGann(22 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Sean Reynolds (1999-2002)
Fans of 'Call The Midwife' will recognise Stephen, as he plays Dr Turner in the series. (credit:ITV/REX)
Deena Payne(23 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Viv Hope (1993–2011)
Deena reappeared on our TV screens in an episode of 'True Crime', but you're more likely to find her on stage now. She's appeared in a number of pantomimes, and also took part in a performance of 'Calendar Girls'. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Pauline Quirke(24 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Hazel Rhodes (2010-2012)
Pauline resumed her role as Sharon in hit comedy 'Birds Of A Feather' when the show returned in 2014. She also scored a part in ITV's drama 'Broadchurch'. (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
Lorraine Chase(25 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Steph Stokes (2002–06, 2013)
Lorraine's acting credits include 'My Family' and 'Doctors. In her time away from the fictional farming village, she also gave camping in the 'I'm A Celeb' jungle a go, before popping up on 'Celebrity Come Dine With Me' and more recently, 'Celebrity Carry On Barging'. Yes, that's a real show. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive)
Ben Freeman(26 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Scott Windsor (1993–96, 1998–2007)
After 'Emmerdale', Ben - successfully - tried his hand at stage acting, landing roles in 'Romeo And Juliet' and 'Legally Blonde', among others. (credit:ITV/REX)
Jenna Louise Coleman (27 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Jasmine Thomas (2005–09)
Jenna is one of the soap's most successful exports, and after starring in as the Time Lord's assistant in 'Doctor Who', she took the lead role in the ITV drama 'Victoria'. (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)
Charlie Hardwick(28 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Val Pollard (2004–2015)
Val's death won the Scene Of The Year prize at the 2016 British Soap Awards, and speaking after her exit Charlie said she sees herself as a "jobbing actor".
She also sings with an all-female band, Kissed. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Jason Merrells(29 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Declan Macey (2010–2014)
Jason has landed a number of roles in recent years, popping up on 'Death In Paradise', 'Safe House' and 'Agatha Raisin'.
He also has a number of theatre credits under his belt. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Paula Tilbrook(30 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Betty Eagleton (Played: 1994–2015)
Paula is truly one of British TV greats, and decided to quit in 2015 to enjoy a well-earned break away from the spotlight. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
Roxanne Pallett(31 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Jo Sugden (2005–2008)
Shortly after leaving, Roxanne signed up for 'Dancing On Ice'.
She hasn't been short of roles, popping up in everything from 'Casualty' and 'Waterloo Road' to stage productions of 'The Vagina Monologues' and 'The Wedding Singer'.
(credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Emily Symons(32 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Louise Appleton (2001–2008)
Emily returned to Australia and resumed playing Marilyn Chambers in 'Home And Away' in 2010. (credit:Don Arnold via Getty Images)
Suzanne Shaw(33 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Eve Jenson (2010–11)
In 2014 she starred as Tara Fable in the mini-series '5 Aside', and in October 2015 she shared some happy personal news, revealing that she had welcomed her second child. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Natalie Anderson(34 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Alicia Gallagher (2010–2015)
After quitting the soap, Natalie rebranded herself as a fashionista, actress and presenter, and began writing a regular Hello! Online blog. In early 2017, she landed a role in a stage production of 'Romeo And Juliet'. (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Lisa Riley(35 of35)
Open Image ModalPlayed: Mandy Dingle (1995-2001)
Since Lisa left the Dales, she's starred in 'Waterloo Road' and 'Scott And Bailey', as well as getting her dancing shoes on for 'Strictly'.
More recently, she's taken a place on the 'Loose Women' panel, although we must admit the thing we remember most is the fact she acted as the host of 'You've Been Framed'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)