Emmerdale, Corrie and EastEnders stars you didn't know were related in real life
Monde Mwitumwa
Soap stars often form strong bonds while filming long-running shows, and it's no surprise that they frequently liken each other to family.
Devoted viewers who have followed the actors for years may be unaware that several stars have real-life family ties away from our television screens.
Popular soaps such as Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and EastEnders are home to many family members who work together or appear on rival shows but continue to support each other.
Just in time for the festive season - a typically dramatic time on telly - let's take a look at the real-life soap stars who are siblings, starting with the Swash's and the Thomas brothers.
Joe and Shana Swash
Joe Swash as Mickey Miller and sister Shana Swash as Demi Miller on Eastenders now she has announced she's given birth
Joe Swash as Mickey Miller and sister Shana Swash as Demi Miller on Eastenders - now she has announced she's given birth -Credit:BBC
Joe Swash, a former king of the jungle, first made a name for himself in Albert Square. He was well known for his role as Mickey Miller from 2005 to 2011 on EastEnders and shared the screen with his real-life sister Shana, who played his on-screen sibling Demi.
Isabella, Amelia and William Flanagan
The Flanagan family is one of the largest and best-known real-life soap families. Isabella and William Flanagan are real-life twins, although they play cousins Hope Stape and Joseph Brown on Coronation Street.
Flanagan family
Corrie's Jude Riordan with soap siblings Amelia, Isabella and William Flanagan -Credit:Jude Riordan Instagram
Meanwhile, their older sister, Amelia Flanagan, plays April Windsor on Emmerdale. The talented acting trio's proud parents often praise their children on social media and provide a glimpse into their lives away from the soaps.
Nick and John Pickard
Nick and John Pickard are a well-known sibling pair within the soap opera universe. Nick's longstanding role as Tony Hutchinson has made him a fan favourite on Hollyoaks, while his real-life brother portrayed Tony's fictional brother Dom from 2005 to 2010.
Sebastian and Gabrielle Dowling
Sebastian and Gabrielle Dowling took up the mantle of Cathy and Heath Hope in Emmerdale, portraying the children of characters Viv and Bob Hope beginning in 2007.
Sebastian and Gabrielle Dowling played real-life twins Cathy and Heath Hope in Emmerdale
Sebastian and Gabrielle Dowling played real-life twins Cathy and Heath Hope in Emmerdale -Credit:ITV
In a poignant plot development earlier this year, Heath's character sadly perished in a harrowing New Year car accident, though Cathy remains on the show.
Amy, Sally and Kimberly Walsh
In Emmerdale, the spotlight also shines on Amy Walsh, who arrived on the scene as Tracy Metcalfe in 2014. She shares the limelight with her family members: sister Sally had assumed the role of Lyn Hutchinson from 1997 to 2000 and their other sister, Kimberly Walsh, gained fame with the pop group Girls Aloud. They have a brother named Adam too.
Will and Peter Ash
Over at Coronation Street, actor Peter Ash plays Billy Mayhew and is cousins with Will Ash offscreen. Will joined Emmerdale as Caleb Milligan in 2022.
Excited about Will's casting, Peter shared on Twitter: "Yes! This is my cousin, Will! 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!" (sic)
Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach
Brooke Vincent is another familiar face, having depicted Sophie Webster on Corrie since 2004 before taking her leave in 2019. Her sister Ellie Leach continues to star in the show.
Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach are real-life cousins
Brooke Vincent and Ellie Leach are real-life cousins -Credit:Instagram
In 2011, Brooke was overjoyed when her younger cousin Ellie Leach joined the cast of Coronation Street as Faye Windass - a role she played until 2023. Ellie, 23, went on to win Strictly Come Dancing last year with Vito Coppola.
Charley Webb and Jamie Lomas
Charley Webb portrayed the iconic character Debbie Dingle from 2002 until 2021. She has since appeared in several shows, such as The Long Shadow.
Charley Webb and Jamie Lomas are real-life siblings
Charley Webb and Jamie Lomas are real-life siblings -Credit:jamielomas21/Instagram
However, she's not the only renowned soap star in her family. Her real-life brother Jamie Lomas has portrayed Hollyoaks legend Warren Fox since 2006 but left the Channel 4 soap earlier this year. Jamie also participated in I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
Ryan Thomas and Adam Thomas
Ryan Thomas was just a youngster when he first set foot on the cobbles on Christmas Day in 2000 as Jason Grimshaw. He left the popular ITV soap back in 2016.
Adam, Scott and Ryan Thomas attend Archie's Atomic
Adam, Scott and Ryan Thomas are real-life brothers -Credit:Carl Sukonik
Meanwhile, back in 2009, his younger brother Adam Thomas joined rival soap Emmerdale as Adam Barton, a role he played until 2018. The siblings also have another famous brother, Scott Thomas, who appeared on Love Island in 2016.
Greg Wood and Matt Milburn
Coronation Street fans were shocked to discover that two characters who never met on the iconic cobbles were actually related in real life.
Actor Matt Milburn portrays Tommy Orpington, a famous footballer for Weatherfield County on the soap who had an affair with Tracy Barlow earlier this year.
Brothers Greg Wood and Matt Milburn both star in Coronation Street
Brothers Greg Wood and Matt Milburn both star in Coronation Street -Credit:Channel Four and ITV
However, he's not the only Coronation Street star in the family, as his real-life brother Greg Wood portrayed the villainous loan shark Rick Neeson on the show.
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