Entertainment

Popstar To Soapstar: From Shayne Ward In 'Coronation Street' And Martine McCutcheon In 'EastEnders'

Popstar To Soapstar: 8 Times Singers Invaded Soapland
Open Image Modal
By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

|
Open Image Modal
David Essex, Kym Marsh and Matt Willis all made the move into soap
BBC/ITV

Stars such as Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia and Martine McCutcheon have all launched a music career off the back of starring in a soap, but there now seems to be a reverse trend emerging of pop stars wanting to become soap stars.

Former ‘X Factor’ winner Shayne Ward is the latest singer to sign up for a role in one of the country’s much-loved drama serials, after he joined the ‘Coronation Street’ castas a cousin of Michelle and Carla Connor.

And he’s not the only ex singer to try their hand at the whole acting malarky as this lot prove…

Popstar to Soapstar
Matt Willis in 'EastEnders'(01 of06)
Open Image Modal
Former Busted singer Matt popped up in ‘EastEnders’ last year when he played the boyfriend of Stacey Slater, Luke Riley. The singer appeared in a handful of episodes which focused on the iconic Slater returning to the soap after a four-year absence. Bosses were keen for Matt to make his stay in Walford a more permanent one, but a tug of love between ‘EastEnders’ and getting back with his bandmates to form a supergroup with McFly resulted in him choosing the latter. (credit:BBC)
Antony Costa in 'Casualty'(02 of06)
Open Image Modal
While all four members of Blue have been regulars on our TV screens over the years thanks to appearances on ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ it was Antony Costa who first made the move into acting with a role in Casualty in 2010. He popped up again last year playing patient Matthew Pendleton who was admitted to the hospital after suffering with burns from a flare set off by a teenager. (credit:BBC)
Kym Marsh in 'Coronation Street'(03 of06)
Open Image Modal
While it seems impossible to imagine Kym Marsh as anything other than Rovers Return barmaid Michelle Connor these days, pop fans will not forget that she first rose to fame on ‘Popstars’ in 2001 when she won a place in the band Hear’Say. When she left the group after less than a year, Kym had a crack at a solo career but it flopped. She then landed the role of Michelle in 2006 and has been on the cobbles ever since. (credit:ITV)
Jules Knight in 'Holby City'(04 of06)
Open Image Modal
Before Jules was busy playing dishy doctor Harry Tressler on the wards of ‘Holby City’, he was a member of male vocal group Blake. He quit music just months before landing the part on the BBC medical drama in 2013 after six years. Jules has since announced he is leaving ‘Holby’ to relaunch his singing career as a solo artist. (credit:BBC)
Richard Blackwood in 'EastEnders'(05 of06)
Open Image Modal
He’s been in Walford all of five minutes but already Richard Blackwood’s mysterious character Vincent Hubbard has made a big impression thanks to his sinister connection to Ronnie Mitchell. However, fans may have forgotten that Richard was once responsible for hits such as ‘Mama Who Da Man’ and ‘1.2.3.4 Get With The Wicked’. (credit:BBC)
Sarah Harding in 'Coronation Street'(06 of06)
Open Image Modal
‘Coronation Street’ is bracing itself for the arrival of a feisty new character who will be played by former Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding. Few details about her character have been revealed other than she will be the current wife of Tracy Barlow’s ex-husband Robert Preston. While she’s only been handed a four-episode guest role, bosses are already teasing a longer stay for her character - something which she admitted she’d love to happen. “It definitely feels an exciting time. I’m a huge Corrie fan. I’d love it if my character could pop in and out for years,” Sarah told The Sun. Watch this space... (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Read more on The Huffington Post UK

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip