SOAP stars can earn a hefty pay packet playing some of the nation’s most-loved characters – and they’re not doing too badly away from screens either.
Along with their six-figure acting salaries, some viewer favourites from Coronation Street and EastEnders to Emmerdale are worth millions thanks to lucrative deals and side hustles.
We reported this week that some of the biggest stars could be facing the axe in a huge cost-cutting drive as audiences dwindle.
An insider said: “There is about to be a bloodbath across Corrie, Emmerdale and EastEnders — and it won’t be pretty.
"All the big three have all been told they need to cut their wage bills by up to 25 per cent. Now there is panic in the green rooms about who could be facing the chop.”
Here’s how much they take home from their soap roles – and the side hustles that boost their bank balance.
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Coronation Street
Bill Roache – £250,000
Bill has played iconic character Ken Barlow since the first episode of Coronation Street aired in 1960, so it’s no surprise he’s one of the highest soap earners.
The 91-year-old, who is listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving male television star in a continuous role, reportedly rakes in £250,000 from the ITV show.
Away from the cobbles, Bill is on Cameo, a website that allows you to request personalised video messages from celebrities. He charges £52 per message.
He’s also an author and released his memoir, 50 Years on the Street: My Life with Ken Barlow, in 2011 to mark half a century on Corrie. His 2018 book, Life and Soul: How to Live a Long and Healthy Life, became a Sunday Times Bestseller.
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Bill, who was made an OBE in 2021, previously admitted he has no plans to slow down.
"People will say when are you retiring? Are you going to take a break? But then what happens?” he said.
"Whilst I can do it, and whilst they will have me, I have no intention of retiring. I am so fortunate to work for an organisation that is happy to have me."
Jack P Shepherd – £250,000
Along with Bill, Jack also earns a £250,000 salary from Corrie.
The actor, 35, who joined in 2000, is reported to be worth a whopping £6million.
He certainly isn’t afraid to flash his cash, having been pictured arriving on set in a £41k Ford Mustang.
Jack previously took time out from the soap to do theatre work, starring in productions such as Oliver! and West Side Story.
As well as playing David Platt, he is a contributor to Grouchy Young Men, a spin-off show of Grumpy Old Men on Comedy Central.
He also has his own podcast, Sofa Cinema Club, with fellow actors Colson Smith and Ben Price.
He reportedly earns his money as a social media star, too. With 392,000 followers on Instagram, it’s believed he could make an estimated £1,462 per sponsored post.
Barbara Knox – £200,000
Rita Tanner actress Barbara, 89, first joined the ITV soap in 1964 for just one episode, before becoming a regular cast member in 1972.
She is the second-longest serving cast member behind Bill and earns £200,000.
In 2010, she was awarded an MBE for her services to drama.
Later this year, a special one-off documentary will air to celebrate her 90th birthday.
Michael Le Vell – £170,000
Michael has been playing Kevin Webster for 40 years, this year.
Suspended in 2013 while he faced allegations of sexual assault, he returned to the soap the following year after being cleared of all charges.
He had another short break in 2014, while he dealt with alcohol and drug problems he had developed during his trial.
The 58-year-old takes home £170,000 a year for his role as the Street's mechanic, which he has described as the "best job on television."
Simon Gregson – £150,000
Simon’s net worth is said to be around £1million.
He earns £150,000 from his role as Steve McDonald in Coronation Street.
The 48-year-old first joined in 1989 and has appeared in nearly 3,500 episodes of the show.
In 2015, it was announced he was to take an extended break from for personal reasons. He returned in 2016.
Simon appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2021 and was reportedly paid around £75,000.
Simon owns a Ford Mustang GT, which has a starting cost of £38,035, and often posts the fancy car on Instagram.
Alan Halsall – £100,000
Alan has played Tyrone Dobbs since 1998 and is reportedly paid a salary of £100,000 a year.
In 2019, it was reported that he signed a new six figure year-long contract with Corrie. To celebrate, he splashed out on a £100,000 Mercedes.
Alan, 41, lives in a £750,000 home in Salford with his girlfriend Tisha Merry and his daughter Sienna-Rae, who he shares with ex Lucy-Jo Hudson.
The pad boasts a luxury lounge, grand hallway and a huge back garden.
EastEnders
Steve McFadden – £200,000
Steve rakes in £200,000 a year for his role as Phil Mitchell on EastEnders.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Steve, 64, who joined Albert Square in 1990, is worth £2.8million.
The BBC soap isn’t his only claim to fame. He appeared in Kevin & Perry Go Large in 2000 and presented game show Britain’s Hardest in 2004.
He took a brief break from EastEnders to focus on panto, and bagged £200,000 to play Captain Hook in Peter Pan in 2011.
Adam Woodyatt – £200,000
Known for his role as Ian Beale, Adam has a net worth of around £1.7million.
The 55-year-old, who recently returned to the soap following a two-year absence, earns a £200,000 salary.
During his break from the show, he appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2021 and it’s thought he was paid £250,000 for his stint.
The actor also reportedly earns around £130,000 for his work in pantomimes.
Aside from acting, Adam previously owned a trendy gin business, called Neat Gin, but shut it down earlier this year. He ran the company with his ex-wife Beverley.
Natalie Cassidy – £150,000
Natalie is paid £150,000 a year for her role as Sonia Fowler, which she’s played since 1993.
Back in 2007, Natalie was paid a whopping £100,000 for her fitness DVD, Then & Now Workout, in which she shed four stone.
She released her second, The Perfect Ten, in 2013.
She later admitted that while the money was good, “it wasn't the right thing to do”.
Natalie has also appeared on reality shows including Strictly in 2009 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2012.
Letitia Dean – £150,000
Letitia, who plays Sharon Watts, joined EastEnders in 1985 before leaving in 1995. She reprised her role from 2001 to 2006 and then re-joined in 2012.
Away from the soap, which pays her £150,000 a year, Letitia, 55, has starred in the West End production of High School Musical. She was also in the UK touring production of Calendar Girls.
Other money-making projects have included Strictly in 2007, and her own fitness DVD, Letitia Dean's Lean Routine, in 2009.
Gillian Taylforth – £150,000
Gillian also makes £150,000 from her salary on EastEnders.
The 68-year-old appeared in the soap’s first episode in 1985 as Kathy Beale and has dipped in and out ever since.
She has become an iconic face on British television, also starring in the likes of Footballers Wives, The Bill and Hollyoaks.
In 2008, she had her first stint in reality TV, taking part in Strictly. And in 2013, she appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.
Gillian also presented Loose Women in 2006 and 2008.
Away from the screen, Gillian is the director of an investment company and she's reportedly worth an incredible £11million.
Emmerdale
Claire King – £230,000
Claire, known for her role as Kim Tate, is Emmerdale’s biggest earner on £230,000 a year.
She joined the ITV soap in 1989 before leaving ten years later. She later re-joined in 2018.
During her break from Emmerdale, Claire, 61,appeared on shows Bad Girls, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street.
Following in the footsteps of many of her fellow soap stars, she’s also taken part in Strictly and Celebrity Big Brother.
Chris Chittell – £200,000
As the longest-serving cast member in the soap's history, Chris’ net worth is around £7million.
It’s thought that he makes most of his money from Emmerdale, raking in £200,000 a year.
Earlier this year, he signed a deal to keep him on the show for another year.
A source told The Sun: “Everyone on Emmerdale is so happy he’s signed on for another year – fans will be glad he’ll be sticking around.”
The 75-year-old, who has played Eric Pollard since 1986, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to drama and charity.
Emma Atkins – £200,000
Charity Dingle actress Emma earns £200,000 from Emmerdale.
The 48-year-old, who joined the soap in 2000, took a four-year break from the Dales in 2005, when she appeared in shows including Dalziel and Pascoe, Mayo, I'm with Stupid, New Street Law, Doctors, Casualty and Heartbeat.
She reprised her role as Charity in 2009 and had another brief break in 2015, after giving birth to her son.
Jeff Hordley – £200,000
Jeff, 53, is paid £200,000 for playing the iconic Cain Dingle and has a net worth of around £3million.
He also sometimes works as a DJ for radio stations in Plymouth and Oldham. He once explained that he plays a variety of music – from soul, to funk, to reggae, as well as "old 60s stuff”.
Appearing on Lorraine, he said: "That has been my out of work acting job – we were talking just earlier about being an actor, you always need something else. And DJing was always mine."
Jeff, who has been on Emmerdale since 2000, lives in a countryside cottage in West Yorkshire with his co-star wife Zoe Henry – who plays Rhona in the soap.
Lucy Pargeter – £170,000
As well as playing Chas Dingle in Emmerdale, Lucy has earned a living from other TV work and is worth around £3.9million.
She joined the soap back in 2002 and is now one of their highest paid stars on a £170,000 salary.
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In January 2006, she appeared in the reality singing competition Soapstar Superstar and finished in third place.
In 2013, she braved the I’m A Celebrity jungle, and was reportedly paid £50,000.
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