Soap stars who saved their careers with reality TV shows- and the ones who failed
STARS from the nation’s favourite soaps have become staples on the biggest reality competitions.
Whether Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother or I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, viewers get to see the real personality behind a recognisable character.
Some who swapped their fictional setting for reality TV ultimately reaped the rewards whereas others were less successful.
Here is at look at the varied fortunes of some of those who made the leap.
SAVED
Joe Swash
Before winning I’m a Celebrity… in 2008, Joe Swash was largely known for playing Mickey Miller in EastEnders.
While in the famed ITV jungle, Joe shared a camp with the likes of George Takei, Martina Navratilova and Simon Webbe.
The star then parlayed his popularity into a hosting career, including the I’m A Celebrity spin-off show which was later named Extra Camp.
Still a familiar media personality, Joe later again won an ITV competition after claiming victory on Dancing on Ice.
In 2021, he placed third in that year’s series of Celebrity MasterChef.
The Thomas Brothers
Each of the three Thomas brothers – Ryan, Adam and Scott – have experienced success after appearing on reality TV.
Following his departure from Coronation Street after 16 years, eldest brother Ryan signed up to appear on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
He joined the likes of Dan Osborne, Chloe Ayling and Jermaine Pennant in that year’s line-up.
During his time on the programme, Ryan was at the centre of a controversy when fellow contestant Roxanne Pallett accused him of “repeatedly punching her.”
This, however, was not the case – and Emmerdale actress Roxanne later issued a lengthy apology to her co-star.
Ryan went on to win Celebrity Big Brother and later also won Dancing on Ice in 2024.
Meanwhile, Adam is also known as an actor with roles in Emmerdale and Waterloo Road.
In 2016, he starred in I’m A Celeb and went to finish third behind Scarlett Moffat and Joel Dommett.
Adam subsequently hosted the final season of spin-off Extra Camp with former campmate Joel and 2018 runner-up Emily Attack.
He also starred on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, but was overall the seventh celebrity to leave the show.
As for Scott, he took a different route by appearing in the 2016 series of Love Island.
During his time in the villa, he coupled up with the likes of Zara Holland and Kady McDermott, finishing third alongside the latter.
Ellie Leach
In 2023, actress Ellie Leach took a big step by leaving Coronation Street.
She had been starring in the ITV soap as Faye Windass since 2011.
That same year, Ellie signed up to appear in Strictly Come Dancing.
She was paired with Vito Coppola, who’d partnered Fleur East in the previous series.
Ellie joined fellow soap stars Adam Thomas, Nigel Harman and Bobby Brazier in the cast.
She and Vito ultimately went on to win the coveted Mirrorball trophy.
FAILED
Roxanne Pallett
As already mentioned, Roxanne starred on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Ryan Thomas in 2018 – but is best remembered for her role in “punchgate”.
After making the accusation, the former Emmerdale actress slept in the spare bedroom, away from her fellow housemates.
While Ryan insisted there had been “no malice”, Roxanne branded him “a liar”, and a “woman beater”.
She voluntarily left the House on Day 17, but sat down with host Emma Willis for an exit interview two days later.
During this chat, Roxanne said she’d made a “horrible mistake” and wished to be forgiven.
Stephanie Davis
Stephanie Davis appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, a year after leaving her role as Sinead O’Connor in Hollyoaks.
During her time in the House, Stephanie met Irish model Jeremy McConnell, beginning a tumultuous on-off relationship.
Although they stepped out of the Celebrity Big Brother house they called it quits after a couple of months amid reports of cheating.
They split before Steph announced that she was pregnant with his baby.
Throughout her pregnancy Jeremy denied that he was the father and demanded a paternity test.
After her son, Caben-Albi was born, fans were convinced that he was the spitting image of Jeremy.
He then went on to take a paternity test live on This Morning before later confirming that he was the dad on social media.
In 2017, Jeremy was was found guilty of assaulting Stephanie in a cocaine-fuelled rampage.
Dean Gaffney
Before entering the I’m A Celeb jungle in 2004, Dean Gaffney was best known for playing Robbie Jackson in EastEnders.
He joined the likes of Myleene Klass, Jason Donovan and eventual winner Matt Willis in that year’s camp.
During his jungle stint, Dean memorably took on the “Jungle Spa”, which saw him rummage through hundreds of critters, much to his vocal displeasure.
As always, it was all in a bid to find winning stars for his campmates’ meal.
Unfortunately for the actor, this trial was broadcast live meaning viewers were seeing his agony play out in real time.
After his time on I’m A Celeb, Dean’s biggest role has been return stints to EastEnders.
Real-life soap couples
Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling.
Max Parker and Kris Mochrie
- Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In a sweet Instagram post, the couple confirmed they’re planning a 2025 wedding.
Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey
- Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. “I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic,” she gushed.
Laura Norton and Mark Jordan
- Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should “just stay as friends.” Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together.
Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley
- Emmerdale favourites Zoe and Jeff, who play Rhonda Goskirk and Cain Dingle met at drama college in 1994 and have been together ever since. While working together might be too much for some couples, that’s definitely not the case for Zoe and Jeff. Zoe previously told The Sun: “Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand.”
Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell
- Lesley and Chris are another Dales romantic success story. Unlike some of the other soap stars, the pair who play Brenda Walker and Eric Pollard, are together on and off screen, officially tying the knot in 2016. They also adore working together, but have clear home-work boundaries. “We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we’re at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn’t it?” Chris revealed.
Sally Carman and Joe Duttine
- Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they tied the knot in July 2022. But unlike some of the Emmerdale stars, Sally and Joe prefer that their characters don’t interact much. Sally previously admitted it “would be horrendous” to work on a storyline with Joe because “he’s too funny.”
Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston
- Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony’s met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie.
Jane Danson and Robert Beck
- Corrie favourite Jane Danson tied the knot with soap star Robert Beck in 2005. The actress, who plays Leanne Battersby, shares two children, Harry and Sam, with the former Brookside star. During their marriage, Robert has also done a stint in Weatherfield playing criminal Jimmy Dockerson.
Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne
- Chris, who played pub landlord Peter Barlow, married soap star Caroline in 2002. Although she is best known as an Emmerdale star, Caroline did visit her husband at work when she did a two-episode stint as doctor on the Manchester soap in 2020. The couple share a daughter called Belle, plus two children, Pip and Freddie from Caroline’s previous marriage.
Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed
- Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam – just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie.
Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward
- Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022.