ITV Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars you didn't know were related

Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors often call their colleagues family and for some, this is true. Many fans have been following their favourite soap characters for years, but might not be aware that several stars have actual family connections on the programmes.

With acting seemingly running in the family, Coronation Street and Emmerdale have plenty of real-life relatives, from twins to cousins. Some family members have even appeared in competing soaps, reports the Mirror.

We have taken a look at some of the real-life family members from the soaps we watch daily. Some may come as a surprise to you.

The Flanagan family

The Flanagan family is one of the biggest and well-known real-life soap families. Isabella and William Flanagan are twins, although they play cousins Hope Stape and Joseph Brown on Coronation Street.

Their older sister, Amelia Flanagan, plays April Windsor on Emmerdale. The talented acting trio's proud parents frequently praise their children on social media, offering a peek into their life outside of the soaps.

Sebastian and Gabrielle Dowling

Isabella and William aren't the only soap twins as Sebastian and Gabrielle Dowling portrayed real-life twins Cathy and Heath Hope in Emmerdale.

The siblings took on the role of Viv and Bob Hope's children back in 2007. In a heartbreaking turn of events earlier this year, Heath was written out in a devastating New Year car crash storyline. Cathy continues to appear on the ITV soap.

Will and Peter Ash

Coronation Street actor Peter Ash, delivered a remarkable performance as Paul Foreman in his battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and won the Serial Drama Performance at the recent National Television Awards. His character's poignant storyline ended in emotional scenes on the show.

Peter's real-life cousin and fellow soap star, Will Ash, currently appearing as Caleb Milligan in Emmerdale would have been proud. Upon the announcement of Will joining Emmerdale back in 2022, Peter shared on Twitter: "Yes! This is my cousin, Will!"

He wrote: "He's an absolutely fantastic actor, and was one of my big inspirations for getting into acting myself! Can't wait to see him do his stuff in #Emmerdale!"

For soap fans, the revelation that the two are related was met with excitement. One fan commented: "No way, I had no idea he's your cousin, well fantastic acting definitely runs in the family x."

Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach

Brooke Vincent portrayed Sophie Webster from 2004 till her departure in 2019. She celebrated when her younger cousin Ellie Leach joined the soap, playing Faye Windass until 2023. At just 23 years old, Ellie has also shined brightly by winning Strictly Come Dancing last year alongside dance partner Vito Coppola.

Charley Webb and Jamie Lomas

Charley Webb played Debbie Dingle in Emmerdale from 2002 to 2021. However, she's not the only well-known soap star in her family. Her real-life brother Jamie Lomas has portrayed Hollyoaks icon Warren Fox since 2006, although he left the Channel 4 soap earlier this year.

Ryan Thomas and Adam Thomas

Ryan Thomas was just a young lad when he first appeared on the cobbles as Jason Grimshaw on Christmas Day in 2000. He bid farewell to the popular ITV soap in 2016.

In 2009, his younger brother Adam Thomas joined Emmerdale, a rival soap, as Adam Barton, a character he played until 2018. The brothers also have another famous sibling, Scott Thomas, who featured on Love Island in 2016.

Greg Wood and Matt Milburn

Coronation Street viewers were taken aback to learn that two characters who never crossed paths on the iconic cobbles are actually related in real life. Tommy Orpington, a footballer for Weatherfield County on the soap who had a fling with Tracy Barlow earlier this year, is portrayed by actor Matt Milburn.

But he's not the only notable Corrie actor in the family. His real-life brother Greg Wood played the villainous loan shark Rick Neeson on the cobbles.