TV soaps have been a British staple since 1960, when ‘Coronation Street’ first appeared on our screens.
In the years since, we’ve been introduced to plenty of characters, thanks to ‘Corrie’, ‘Emmerdale’ and ‘EastEnders’, and plenty of actors have walked onto the shows’ sets.
And while most have enjoyed their stays and departed, more than a few have decided to call their show home, staying for decades on end.
But who has stuck around the longest? And how many of them are still on our screens?
Check out the longest-serving stars, from ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Emmerdale’ and ‘EastEnders’, below…
TV's Longest Serving Soap Stars
Bill Roache(01 of15)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: Betty Williams (1969 - 2011, 'Coronation Street')
Hotpot, anyone? (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Hotpot, anyone? (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Wendy Richard(09 of15)
Played: Pauline Fowler (1985 - 2006, 'EastEnders')
The formidable Pauline was one of Walford's most-loved matriarchs. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
The formidable Pauline was one of Walford's most-loved matriarchs. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
Stan Richards(10 of15)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: 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)
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)
Played: Dot Cotton (1985 - 1993, 1997 - 2012, 2013 - Present)
Words cannot even express how grateful we are to have Dot in the Square. (credit:BBC)
Words cannot even express how grateful we are to have Dot in the Square. (credit:BBC)