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The long-standing soap favourites who have barely aged a day

17/03/2021

Still smooth-skinned after all that drama! Long-standing soap favourites who have barely aged a day despite decades on screen – from EastEnders’ Gillian Taylforth to Corrie’s Sue Nicholls

The life of a soap character is rarely without drama – so it’s remarkable that a number of long-standing residents of Weatherfield, Walford, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks appear to have barely aged a day
Corrie’s Tina O’Brien, 37, who has played Sarah Barlow since she was 13 in 1999, could still pass for a teenager
Gillian Taylforth, 65, aka Kathy Beale, arguably looks younger than her on-screen son Adam Woodyatt (Ian)

From teenage pregnancies to drug and alcohol addiction, murdered family members and stretches in prison – the life of a soap character is never without drama.

It’s remarkable, then, that a number of long-standing residents of Weatherfield, Walford, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks appear to have barely aged a day since they arrived.

Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien, who has played Sarah Barlow (nee Platt) since she was just 13 in 1999, could still pass for a teenager now at 37 thanks to her youthful, fresh-faced complexion, while fellow cobbles stalwart Sue Nicholls, 77, (Audrey Roberts) looks as glamorous now as she did 20 years ago.

Meanwhile on Albert Square, Gillian Taylforth, 65, who resumed her role as Kathy Beale in 2015 despite being ‘killed off’ in 2006, arguably looks younger than her on-screen son Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale).

And it’s not just the women who have aged spectacularly well; Hollyoaks’ longest-serving cast member Nick Pickard, who plays Tony Hutchinson, has barely changed since the show’s first episode in 1995, while Emmerdale’s Marlon Dingle (played by Mark Charnock) has also weathered his turbulent storylines incredibly well.

Here FEMAIL takes a look at the long-standing soap favourites who are still smooth-skinned after years of on-screen drama – while experts share the ‘tweakments’ they suspect may have helped them age so gracefully.

EASTENDERS

Gillian Taylforth, 65 (Kathy Beale)

Gillian’s (pictured left in 2002) character’s storyline touching on a range of serious issues including rape, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, alcoholism and meningitis. Right, looking fresh-faced at 64 at the National Television Awards in January 2020. She has been open about undergoing a non-surgical facelift costing around £1,500 to mark her 60th birthday

Gillian first appeared as Kathy Beale on EastEnders in 1984, pictured, and has spent many years on the Square

Gillian first appeared as Kathy Beale in 1984, with her character’s storyline touching on a range of serious issues including rape, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, alcoholism and meningitis.

When she returned to EastEnders in 2015 after almost a decade away from Albert Square, many fans remarked on her youthful glow – with some even observing she looked younger than her on-screen son Ian Beale.

Gillian brushed this off during an interview on This Morning, claiming: ‘Adam has been doing this show for 30 years whereas I’ve had lots of time off, that’s probably why I look younger!’

However she has been open about undergoing a non-surgical facelift costing around £1,500 to mark her 60th birthday. A surgeon from MYA Cosmetic Surgery previously told the Mirror she may have also had a lower face and neck lift.

Plastic surgeon Dr Paul Banwell (www.paulebanwell.com) told FEMAIL: ‘Gillian is clearly beautiful and blessed. I would think that she maintains such good skin health with good skincare, medical-grade facials and possibly non-surgical treatments such as radiofrequency skin tightening to keep her skin looking youthful.’

Cosmetic nurse and expert in injectables, Nina Prisk (www.update-aesthetics.co.uk) added: ‘As we age the collagen in our body decreases so it’s natural for them to lose volume and show more wrinkles and lines in that area.

‘Whilst a nourishing lip treatment can help to hydrate and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in that area it’s more likely that Gillian’s lips have had a small amount of dermal lip filler to very naturally plump them, smooth the lines and replace the volume that she would have lost as a result of the natural ageing process.

‘This has left her with a very natural look. When we age too we often experience smoker’s lines, regardless of whether we’ve smoked. A small amount of dermal filler in this area can help to combat these lines.’

Letitia Dean, 53 (Sharon Beale)

Like Kathy, Letitia, 53, is a long-standing member of the Enders crew, having come and gone several times over the years. Pictured left in 1986 and right in 2004

In 2019 Sharon enjoyed a steamy love affair with with Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) – who was nearly 30 years her junior

Like Kathy, Letitia, 53, is a long-standing member of the Enders crew, having come and gone several times over the years.

Her character was involved in one of the show’s most famous love triangles, with Grant and Phil Mitchell, and continues to court drama – having recently plotted a sinister plan to kill husband Ian.

Letitia has maintained her voluminous blonde locks since she started on the show, though arguably it’s her storylines that are keeping her young.

In 2019 Sharon enjoyed a steamy love affair with with Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) – who was nearly 30 years her junior.

‘Letitia looks great. To combat any dark circles she may have benefited from an injectable treatment like tear trough fillers,’ explained Nina. ‘These are an effective way to treat dark circles under the eyes and under-eye hollows. By injecting filler under the eyes, we fill the volume lost by ageing – lightening dark circles, filling under-eye hollows, and wrinkles.

‘Her skin is smooth and glowing suggesting she’s maintained a good skincare routine, and her lips appear fuller than you might expect for a 53-year-old, possibly suggesting she’s had lip fillers injected into her lips. Although these have been sensitively done in order to avoid the dreaded “trout pout”.’

Dr Banwell added: ‘It’s possible that she may have had some sort of cosmetic intervention by way of a thread lift or APTOS lift – a cosmetic procedure that is used to lift and sculpt different features on the face and body; we can very quickly transform the jawline area, lift the brow, change the shape of the nose and even perform a non-surgical breast lift without a patient having to go under the knife.’

Perry Fenwick, 58 (Billy Mitchell)

Despite all the drama, actor Perry Fenwick, 58, who joined EastEnders in 1998, barely looks any different to how he did when he started. Pictured left in 2003 and right in 2021

Billy is one of the more long-suffering characters on the soap, with storylines ranging from becoming embroiled in criminal scams, doomed marriages, witnessing murder and cheating on the love of his life, Honey.

Despite all the drama, actor Perry Fenwick, 58, who joined EastEnders in 1998, barely looks any different to how he did when he started.

Dr Banwell suggested Perry’s impressive head of hair may have been helped along with PRP therapy.

‘PRP therapy involves re-injecting a patient’s own blood back into the scalp,’ he explained. ‘It works by taking a small amount of blood and separating this blood in a centrifuge. We then take the platelet rich plasma which contains special proteins in high levels called growth factors from your separated blood. This is injected into the scalp. The growth factors then stimulate the activity of the hair follicles and promote new hair growth.’

Steve McFadden, 61 (Phil Mitchell)

Steve’s appearance has changed little since he first arrived in Walford (pictured left in 2001) – though Dr Banwell observed that his skin tone looks less red now than it did previously, perhaps suggesting he suffered from rosacea (pictured right in 2021)

Few soap characters have ended up in more scrapes than Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, 61.

His most prominent storylines include his battle with alcoholism – which led him to suffer from cirrhosis of the liver – problematic marriages, being shot – which sparked a whodunit mystery that gripped the nation – going on the run after breaking out of prison, and most recently attacking Ian Beale, with whom he’s shared a feud for years.

Steve’s appearance has changed little since he first arrived in Walford – though Dr Banwell observed that his skin tone looks less red now than it did previously, perhaps suggesting he suffered from rosacea.

‘Many men suffering from rosacea seem to feel embarrassed as people can assume that they’re heavy drinkers, so we’re seeing an increase in men coming forward for treatment for this too,’ he said. ‘Lasers offer a great treatment option as they don’t change the appearance at all but leave the patient looking fresher.’

CORONATION STREET

Sally Dynevor, 57 (Sally Metcalfe)

In real life, Sally, 57, discovered she had breast cancer while filming her character’s heartbreaking scenes in 2009, after the storyline prompted her to go for a check-up after feeling ‘something tiny’. Pictured left in 2011 and right in 2019

Since 1986, Sally has been a stalwart on the cobbles, despite having only been initially hired for four episodes. Pictured with Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) in 1991

Since 1986, Sally has been a stalwart on the cobbles, despite having only been initially hired for four episodes.

Over the years she’s been at the centre of some of the soap’s most memorable storylines and has been married four times – twice to Kevin, and twice to current husband Tim (though their first didn’t technically count as it turned out he was already married).

Sally has also survived numerous near-death scenarios, including becoming a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of Greg Kelly, a breast cancer battle, a minibus crash and the Underworld factory roof collapsing on top of her.

Dr Banwell said Sally is a ‘natural beauty’ and put her clear, healthy-looking skin down to good skincare and SPF over the years.

‘Nasolabial folds are sometimes known as smile or laughter lines. The nasolabial folds are lines located on either side of the mouth. They are more noticeable when a person smiles and with age they become more defined and noticeable,’ he said.

‘Sally may have had a lower facelift with threads in order to lift the area and reduce the prominence of lines. This is a non-surgical procedure that does not carry the risks or downtime of a traditional facelift, but has comparable results. It works by having threads injected into the sides of the face which are then pulled in order to create the lifted effect.’

Tina O’Brien, 37 (Sarah Barlow)

Fans have often commented on 37-year-old Tina’s incredibly youthful looks (pictured left in 2000 and right in 2019)

Her on-screen character hit the headlines when she fell pregnant with daughter Bethany at 13, making her the youngest mum in soap history.

Sarah fell pregnant again by boyfriend Todd Grimshaw, after he pushed for them to get engaged before confessing he was gay – the stress of which caused her to go into premature labour. Their son Billy died after three days.

Her third child was fathered by Callum Logan, whom she ditched when she discovered he’d used Bethany as a drug mule. When he was killed by Sarah’s sister-in-law after violently assaulting her, Sarah developed postnatal psychosis. She’s now married to Adam Barlow, despite them going through a rocky patch after Sarah stood by her murderous ex Gary Windass.

Fans have often commented on 37-year-old Tina’s incredibly youthful looks. ‘Tina looks great,’ remarked Nina. ‘As we hit our mid thirties we do expect to see some fine lines across the forehead and around the eyes.

Tina may have had anti-wrinkle injections to help prevent and reduce any visible fine lines. With Botox we can also elevate the height of the brows. These injections work by relaxing the muscles under the skin to leave your skin looking smoother.

It’s also possible that Tina has had lip fillers in order to give the lips their naturally plump appearance,.’

Alison King, 48 (Carla Connor)

Another Corrie beauty who doesn’t appear to have aged despite a raft of dramatic storylines is Alison King, 48, who plays Carla Connor (pictured left in 2007 and right in 2016)

Alison has been a firm fixture on Corrie since 2006, with a year break between 2016 and 2017. Dr Banwell said she ‘clearly has good genes’. Pictured in March 2021

Another Corrie beauty who doesn’t appear to have aged despite a raft of dramatic storylines is Alison King, 48, who plays Carla Connor.

Unlucky-in-love Carla lost her first husband in a car crash, fell in love with her brother-in-law, married a murderer who nearly killed her in an arson attack, suffered a miscarriage when her third husband cheated with a barmaid, and has been raped twice.

Alison has been a firm fixture on Corrie since 2006, with a year break between 2016 and 2017.

‘Alison is beautiful and clearly has good genes,’ Dr Banwell said. ‘However she may have had some radiofrequency treatments in order to tighten and stop any sagging skin, and possibly a little Botox in the forehead in order to help defy the natural ageing process and give her forehead this smooth, wrinkle-free look.’

Sue Nicholls, 77 (Audrey Roberts)

As the matriarch of the Platt family, Audrey has certainly seen her fair share of drama over the years (pictured left: Sue in 2003 and right in 2019)

Sue Nicholls first arrived in Weatherfield in 1979 and her appearance has changed little since, with actress Sue Nicholls, 77, sporting a similar hairstyle now as she did in the Eighties (pictured in March 1982)

As the matriarch of the Platt family, Audrey has certainly seen her fair share of drama over the years.

She first arrived in Weatherfield in 1979 and her appearance has changed little since, with actress Sue Nicholls, 77, sporting a similar hairstyle now as she did in the Eighties.

‘To me Sue looks like she’s probably decided to age naturally and I think that she looks great having done so,’ Nina said.

‘The smooth skin around Sue’s jawline is natural looking but still improved, which could have been achieved by having Profhilo injected into the area to even out wrinkles and remove the rings around the neck which many people suffer from as they age.

‘Profhilo is an injectable skin remodelling treatment containing one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid on the market, especially formulated for people whose skin lacks volume and elasticity. The result is improved skin quality lasting for up to six months.’

EMMERDALE

Claire King, 58 (Kim Tate)

Kim Tate (pictured left in 1999) is one of Emmerdale’s most iconic, antagonistic characters, and made a dramatic return to the Yorkshire Dales in 2018, having left in 1999 after a decade on the soap (pictured right in 2020)

In 2013 Claire revealed she underwent a mini facelift after struggling to find acting work; she said she felt like she was competing at auditions against other performers who had gone under the knife. However she’s since vowed never to have more surgery, instead treating herself to occasional non-surgical tweakments to maintain a youthful glow

Kim Tate is one of Emmerdale’s most iconic, antagonistic characters, and made a dramatic return to the Yorkshire Dales in 2018, having left in 1999 after a decade on the soap.

However she’s since vowed never to have more surgery, instead treating herself to occasional non-surgical tweakments to maintain a youthful glow.

‘As we age our skin loses its natural collagen and elasticity and as a result faces can appear hollow or lacking volume,’ Nina said. ‘Claire’s face looks more voluminous than you might expect of a 58-year-old which suggests she may have had cheek fillers in order to achieve this natural-looking volume and contour.

‘Similarly her jawline appears nicely contoured, which could have been achieved with Botox injections at various points along the jawline which can help to create tighter-looking skin and less jowl.’

Elizabeth Estensen, 71 (Diane Sugden)

Despite everything Diane is rarely without a smile, which helps maintain her youthful appearance. Actress Elizabeth Estensen, 71, also wears a blonde wig for the role, having embraced her grey locks in real life (pictured left in 2005 and right in 2019)

Faithful Diane is another soap favourite whose look has changed little in her years on screen. She arrived in Emmerdale in 1999 and often acts as a sounding board for her fellow village residents.

Her own journey has not been without strife, having been abandoned by her first husband Rodney, battled colon cancer, lost husband Jack to a heart attack and later her sister Val in the infamous helicopter crash.

Dr Banwell said Elizabeth may have undergone an upper blepharoplasty which makes her eyes look wider and more open, with less heavy skin on the upper lids.

‘Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate vision problems and make your eyes appear younger and more alert,’ he said. ‘The benefit of blepharoplasty is that we can achieve a beautiful and very natural look.

‘This isn’t facelift surgery – you won’t come out looking like an entirely different version of yourself – but you will look a lot brighter, less tired and refreshed.’

Emma Atkins, 45 (Charity Dingle)

Another soap siren whose character is nearly always up to no good is Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, 45 (pictured left in 2002 and right in 2019)

Another soap siren whose character is nearly always up to no good is Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, 45.

Her high profile storylines include having an affair with her husband’s sister, her on-off romance with second cousin Cain which spawned a daughter, Debbie, her endless get-rich-quick schemes and being sexually abused as a teenager.

Despite all the drama, Emma has retained a youthful, natural glow and barely looks a day over 30.

‘Emma’s forehead looks very smooth, indicating she may have had Botox injected to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,’ Nina suggested.

Mark Charnock, 52 (Marlon Dingle)

There must be something about being a Dingle, as lovable Marlon, played by Mark Charnock, 52, since 1996, doesn’t seem to have aged a bit – and according to the experts, mother nature has been kind (pictured left in 2005 and right in 2020)

‘Mark seems to be ageing naturally,’ explains Dr Banwell. ‘Most men experience hair thinning or baldness as they age though, so it may be that Mark’s thick-looking head of hair is a result of PRP Therapy.’

HOLLYOAKS

Nick Pickard, 45 (Tony Hutchinson)

Nick is still sporting an impressive head of dark hair which helps maintain his youthful appearance, albeit a shorter style than he used to wear when he first arrived on the scene (pictured left in 2003 and right in 2019)

Actor Nick Pickard, 45, has been in Hollyoaks since day one – and playing Tony for 25 years appears to have kept him looking young. Pictured left in 1995

Actor Nick Pickard, 45, has been in Hollyoaks since day one – and playing Tony for 25 years appears to have kept him looking young.

He’s still sporting an impressive head of dark hair which helps maintain his youthful appearance, albeit a shorter style than he used to wear when he first arrived on the scene.

‘Nick’s eyebags do appear significantly less visible,’ Nina added. ‘Eyelid skin is unique to the rest of the body because there is no subcutaneous fat underneath the skin.

‘Anti-wrinkle injections around the eye area can significantly reduce wrinkles and eye bags, so it’s possible that Tony has had this done to help to create the freshness in this area.’

Stephanie Waring, 42 (Cindy Cunningham)

Mother-of-two Stephanie, 42, has portrayed Cindy since 1996 and still boasts a radiant, youthful glow (pictured left in 2007 and right in 2020)

Mother-of-two Stephanie, 42, has portrayed Cindy since 1996 and still boasts a radiant, youthful glow. In June 2019, she revealed she’d been teetotal for three months and said she felt ‘so much better’ since cutting out alcohol from her diet.

On maintaining her youthful-looking appearance, Stephanie told Manchester Evening News: ‘I look after myself and I’ve always looked young for my age. My eldest daughter is 13 and she’s nicking all my clothes and I nick hers too. She’ll say, “Nice leggings mum, nice top.”‘

Stephanie has also adopted a strict fitness schedule, with the actress frequently sharing snaps from her gruelling workouts on Instagram.

Nina remarked: ‘Stephanie has very smooth, wrinkle-free skin. Whilst you can help to achieve this though a healthy diet and lifestyle and a good skincare routine, it’s possible that Stephanie has had a little help with Botox injections.

‘Her lips do look more plump so it’s possible that she has also had fillers injected into her lips in order to create the volume and shape. Similarly her cheeks look defined which could have been achieved with filler.’

Sarah Jayne Dunn, 39 (Mandy Richardson)

Sarah Jayne Dunn regularly dazzles on the red carpet, with fans often remarking on her age-less appearance (pictured left in 2004 and right in 2020)

Having played Mandy on the Channel 4 soap since 1996, 39-year-old Sarah has come and gone over the years before making a more permanent return in 2017.

The star regularly dazzles on the red carpet, with fans often remarking on her age-less appearance.

Sarah is a trained make-up artist as well as an actress, so clearly knows the best way to show off her natural beauty.

‘Sarah looks great,’ Nina said. ‘I’d suggest she’s maybe had some anti-wrinkle injections and filler in the cheek area to replace volume.’

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