Yahoo News The longest-serving UK soap characters
Yahoo UK gathers a lists of familiar faces that have been on British TV for over 60 years.
The UK is a nation of soap lovers, with millions tuning in every week to follow their favourite characters on their journeys.
From Coronation Street’s William Roache to EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt, some actors have dedicated years of their lives to bring entertainment to our televisions.
With intense appearances and dramatic exists, familiar characters carry the show with compelling storylines, successfully performing week after week.
Here are the longest serving UK soap characters to date.
Coronation Street: Bill Roache as Ken Barlow – 63 years
William Roache holds the Guinness world record for the longest serving character on British soaps.
Roache appeared in the very first episode of Coronation Street in 1960 and has played Ken Barlow for the last 63 years.
The record-breaking actor has been involved in some of the most dramatic storylines and, last year, the 91-year-old actor said he has no intention of retiring anytime soon and is hoping to stay on until he reaches 100 years old.
Coronation Street: Barbara Knox as Rita Tanner - 51 years
Corrie’s Barbara Knox has been playing Rita Tanner for 51 years, making her the longest serving female soap star in UK TV history.
Knox, 90, first appeared on Coronation Street as Rita Littlewood for one episode back in 1964, but returned back on the show in 1972 to reclaim her role long-term.
Read more: Barbara Knox has no plans to retire
Knox has been on the frontline of many compelling storylines on the ITV soap. From her turbulent relationship with on-screen husband Alan Bradley to her dementia diagnosis, Rita has proved to be a popular Weatherfield resident amongst fans.
Coronation Street: Helen Worth as Gail Platt – 49 years
Coming in at 3rd place is Helen Worth who has played Gail Platt for the last 49 years. Gail made her debut back in 1974 as the half-sister of the infamous Stephen Reid.
Undoubtedly one of the most recognisable faces on Corrie’s cobbles, Gail’s role has contributed to many dramatic scenes.
Her role on the ITV soap earned her a British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement twice, once in 2006 and then again in 2014.
Coronation Street: Sue Nicholls as Audrey Roberts - 39 years
Sue Nicholls first debuted as Audrey Roberts in 1979 making a number of appearances until 1985. She later returned to the cobbled streets of Weatherfield in 1985 as a full time cast member.
Audrey started out as a single mother who worked as a hairdresser in the show, with storylines focusing on depression and alcohol abuse.
She won several awards for her role in Corrie, including British Soap Award for Best Comedy Performance, the 2003 British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance, and received the Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019.
Eastenders: Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale – 37 years
Adam Woodyatt appeared as Ian Beale on the very first episode of the BBC soap in 1985, making him the longest-serving Eastenders actor.
Although he recently took a break from the show, Woodyatt is now back in Albert Square and has been at the forefront of some of the most explosive storylines in British TV.
Ian Beale is known to be the businessman of Walford, with several shops and cafes and a fair share of failed marriages.
Emmerdale: Chris Chittell as Eric Pollard - 37 years
Chris Chittell first arrived on the ITV soap in 1986 and has stayed on ever since. He has played Eric Pollard as the infamous villain for a number of years, but has toned it down in recent years.
Eric took viewers on a journey of grief after losing his wife Val Lambert in a helicopter crash, and Chittell was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019 in honour for his service to British Television and charity work.
Hollyoaks: Nick Pickard as Tony Hutchinson - 28 years
Nick Pickard started his career in Hollyoaks since its first episode in 1995, and was one of the founding 15 cast members on the soap.
Pickard played Tony Hutchinson for the last 28 years, where viewers followed his journey from his teenage years to eventually becoming a restaurant owner and a father.
He was awarded the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement for his service on the show for over two decades. The actor said he has no plans on leaving anytime soon.
