From Emmerdale teen who sued bosses to Corrie kid who went on to work at Greggs…the struggles of axed soap child stars
Date: 2024-10-29AS a soap child star, it probably feels like you’ve made it for life – but so suddenly getting axed as they become adults is a huge blow.
Emmerdale actress Daisy Campbell has been playing Amelia Spencer since she was just eight years old.
But, now 21, she’s revealed she’s been axed from the ITV soap after 13 years – and her last scenes will be aired just before Christmas.
Reflecting on the news, she told The Mirror: “It wasn’t my choice to leave Emmerdale and it was a shock at first.
“Being in Emmerdale is all I have ever known. I’ve spent the whole of my childhood growing up in the soap and it felt daunting.”
But she’s not the first soap kid to be sacked when she least expected, as we reveal what happened to some of the most famous soap children after they left…
Chris Hoyle – Corrie
Chris Hoyle was 12 when he joined Coronation Street as Mike Baldwin’s son Mark Redman in 1992.
But his contract was cut short just two years later, when he was caught in possession of a small amount of cannabis and cautioned.
He told Manchester Evening News: “I went from being a working class lad where all my family were so proud that I was in Coronation Street, to being shamed really.
“Then my Corrie character being fizzled out, I just felt like a massive failure. I thought my world had ended but I was only 14.
“At the time I was absolutely gutted. But looking back, it was the best thing they could have done.â€
Chris now works as a playwright.
Melissa Suffield – EastEnders
When Lucy Beale was killed on EastEnders in 2014, it was Hetti Bywater playing Ian Beale’s daughter.
But Melissa Suffield held the part before her, having joined the cast in 2004, aged 11.
She was axed in 2010, after allegedly ignoring warnings from producers about “unruly†behaviour and was caught boozing underage at the age of 17.
Although she has denied being a “wild teenager” saying, “nothing is further from the truth” she is philosophical about leaving the show, adding “one door shuts and another one opens.â€
Melissa went on to star in plays and pantomimes and it was during a stint on Beauty and the Beast six years ago that she met cruise director Robert Brendan, with whom she shares son River, three.
She says, “If I hadn’t been in Eastenders then I wouldn’t have been in pantos, so wouldn’t have met Robert and wouldn’t have River, I can’t regret any part of my life as it’s led me to the next chunk.â€
These days, Melissa is worlds away from Albert Square, as the proud mum-of-one regularly shares posts on Instagram about promoting body confidence to her 126,000 followers.
She often strips to her underwear and even went topless to show off her size 14 body to inspire and empower women to love their bodies – and regularly hits back at trolls.
Christopher Smith – Emmerdale
Although Ryan Hawley is the most well-known Robert Sugden, there were three different actors who played Jack and Pat Sugden’s son in Emmerdale before him.
But it was Christopher Smith who had the longest tenure, getting cast when he was just four years old, in 1989.
However, in 2001, producers axed him as they wanted an older actor for more adult storylines and Christopher sued Yorkshire Television for unfair dismissal.
It wasn’t all bad for Christopher though, as he moved to Los Angeles, and worked as a producer on AMC talk show Talking Dead, in which host Chris Hardwick discussed the show The Walking Dead.
Emily Mather – Emmerdale
The first person to play Belle Dingle – the youngest daughter of Zak and Lisa in Emmerdale – was Emily Mather in 1998.
She played the role from birth – alongside her twin brother James when they were still babies – until she was seven in 2005.
But she opted not to pursue a career in the spotlight, and instead went on to study a sports course at college with the hope of becoming a teacher.
The role was taken over by Eden Taylor-Draper, who has continued to boss it since 2005.
Leah and Lynsay King – Corrie
Tina O’Brien has been famously starring as Sarah Platt in Corrie since 1999 but the role was originated by twins Leah and Lynsay King.
The sisters alternated as Gail Platt’s daughter until May 1987 when Leah tragically died of cot death and Lynsay took over full time.
Lynsay stayed on the cobbles all the way up to 1999, quitting just before her 13th birthday, after being bullied at school due to her Corrie stardom.
“It was horrible,” Lynsay told the Mirror. “Today I feel sad that I let bullies drive me out but at primary school no one would let me join in any of their games.â€
Soap characters who've been recast
Soap operas are staple viewing for many people, but even some of the most famous characters have been played by different actors. Here are some examples from over the years.
- Tracy Barlow: Kate Ford took on the role of Corrie legend Tracy Barlow in 2002. Before Kate, three other actresses had played Tracy – most notably Dawn Acton from 1988 to 1999.
- Nick Tilsley: Ben Price has been playing Gail’s oldest child in 2009, but the former Footballers’ Wives star is the third actor to take on the part.
- Sarah Platt: Although Tina O’Brien debuted as Sarah Platt in 1999, she is the third actress who has played the iconic role of Sarah Platt.
- David Platt: Completing the line-up of Gail’s children, David was initially played by Thomas Ormson for a decade before Jack P. Shepherd took over.
- Daniel Osbourne: For almost a decade, the role of Ken Barlow’s son Daniel has been portrayed by actor Rob Mallard. Before Rob joined, two other actors had previously played Daniel.
- Bethany Platt: Fans know Lucy Fallon as Bethany nowadays but before her, three other actresses had stepped into the character’s shoes.
- Kirk Sutherland: Before Andy Whyment took on the role of Kirk, he played by an uncredited actor in his very first appearance.
- Todd Grimshaw: Gareth Pierce stepped into the role of Todd back in 2020, becoming the second performer to play this part.
- Summer Spellman: Harriet Bibby became the second actress to play Summer, taking over the role from Matilda Freeman in 2020.
- Ryan Connor: Ryan Prescott currently plays the long-running character, but Ben Thompson and Sol Heras had earlier portrayed the role.
- Martin Fowler: Although Martin was the first baby born on-screen in EastEnders, he hasn’t always been played by the same person. His current portrayer, James Bye, is the third actor to star as the character.
- Peter Beale: Seven actors have portrayed Ian Beale’s elder son, with the current actor, Thomas Law, in his second stint as the character.
- Ben Mitchell: Ben has been played by a total of six actors – with Max Bowden bowing out of the role in March 2024.
- Bobby Beale: Before Clay Milner Russell, Ian’s younger son had been played by four other actors.
- Freddie Slater: Bobby’s best mate, Freddie Slater, had been previously played by twins Alex and Tom Kilby before Bobby Brazier took over in 2022.
- Chelsea Fox: Former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams took over the role of Chelsea in 2020. The character had been first played by Tiana Benjamin from 2006 to 2010.
- Lauren Branning: Jacqueline Jossa took on the role of Lauren in 2010, succeeding Madeline Duggan who’d played her from 2006 to 2010.
- Johnny Carter: Johnny has been played by three actors since debuting in 2013 – most recently, Charlie Suff has taken on the role.
In 2004, while working behind the counter at Greggs in Manchester, she confessed she regretted her decision to leave the soap.
She continued: “At the time I was relieved to leave, but now I watch and think ‘Why did I get out of it?’ And I do regret it.
“When I watch Tina O’Brien playing Sarah it feels weird. I don’t resent her, but it does upset me because I’d love to act again.”
Emily and Amy Walton – Corrie
Lucy Fallon is the Bethany Platt most Corrie fans are familiar with – but twins Emily and Amy Walton originally played her for the first seven years of their lives.
The girls, born on 15 March 2000, played Sarah’s daughter from 2000 to 2007 until Sarah went off to Italy with her little girl.
Now 24, Emily and Amy are no longer in acting and instead are both gymnasts.
Alex Bain – Corrie
Alex Bain was just seven years old when he bagged the role of Simon Barlow in Corrie.
He remained there for 15 years – until he was axed earlier this year – and was gutted to be leaving.
At the time, a source told The Sun: “Alex has been putting on a brave face saying he quit the show but in reality bosses decided it was time for him to move on.
“It’s been incredibly emotional for Alex and he really doesn’t want to leave at all.
“He’s been begging bosses to keep him in mind for the future. He wants to go back already.â€
Since leaving, Alex has hinted at a career in music
But he also hinted at a career in music, in a Q&A with his Instagram followers.
When he was questioned about collaborating with singer/songwriter Ella Hammill, he replied: “Don’t worry it’ll come soon @ella_hammill! Just wait till people see what music we can cook up between us!
“They won’t know what hit them!â€
Ellis Hollins – Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks viewers were absolutely stunned earlier this year, when Tom Cunningham left the show – especially as no one knew Ellis Hollins, who played the character from the ages of three to 24, was leaving.
And Ellis admitted it wasn’t his decision to quit.
Speaking to Digital Spy, he said: “I hadn’t put forward that I wanted to leave or that I was thinking about other things.
“I feel that I was very comfortable there, whether that’s a good thing or not. I don’t know if I would have ‘jumped’ if I hadn’t been pushed.â€
Ellis even admitted he’s hoping for a return at some point in the future – given that Tom left the village with his sister Cindy Cunningham and wasn’t killed off.
He continued: “I’m very glad that they didn’t kill Tom off. Obviously that leaves the door open for potential adventures for Tom in the future – I can’t say that wouldn’t be great.
“But at the same time, it’s giving me an opportunity to see what the rest of life is all about.
“It’s the biggest learning curve I’ve ever had to put myself through. Hollyoaks has been home for me for the longest time I can remember. So to be without it is daunting, but exciting for the same reasons.
“I can see what else is out there. I can do things unsolicited without having to get permission – I can get a tattoo, I can cut my hair. There’s so many different opportunities I can look forward to.”
