Real soap star ages are often a mystery with some characters playing younger than their years and others much older!
Recently fans have been shocked to learn how old Paula Wilcox, who plays Elaine Jones in Coronation Street, is.
We all know how old our favourite soap characters are supposed to be. Either roughly, or because they’ve celebrated birthdays in the show or sometimes because they were born on screen!
But when it comes to real-life birthdays, it turns out a few of our fave characters can still surprise us!
Here’s our round-up of some real soap star ages that will make your head spin.
Real soap star ages that will make your head spin
Coronation Street star Paula Wilcox
Elaine Jones in Corrie is set to marry her toyboy Stephen Reid. Elaine is 71 years old and Stephen is 66. The age difference has been referenced between them before with Stephen insisting it didn’t matter to him.
Meanwhile, Stephen’s mum, Audrey, is 10 years older than Elaine.
However, in real life, Elaine actress Paula is 73 years old – and her on-screen mother-in-law-to-be, Sue Nicholls is 79 years old – meaning there’s only six years between them!
Fans were pretty shocked when they did the maths on this. “There’s only six years between Audrey and Elaine (as actresses),” wrote one on social media.
“I’m stunned I didn’t realise how Elaine and Audrey are practically the same age,” another agreed.
Coronation Street star Sue Nicholls
Sue Nicholls plays sassy pensioner Audrey Roberts in Coronation Street.
Audrey is 81 years old and full of youthful energy – despite the best efforts of her killer son Stephen Reid!
Her alter ego Sue has just as much energy and looks fabulous! She is just two years younger than Audrey, at 79 years old.
Coronation Street star Helen Worth
Helen Worth plays Audrey’s daughter Gail Rodwell. Audrey was young when she had Gail – who is in her 60s.
But in real life, Helen is just a few years younger than her on-screen mum.
She’s 72 years old, while Sue – who plays Audrey – is 79.
Coronation Street star William Roache
Corrie legend Bill Roache has played Ken Barlow since the first episode of the show more than 60 years ago.
He’s still a regular on the cobbles, despite him turning 91 recently!
His alter ego, Ken, is a smidgeon younger at 83.
EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth
Gillian Taylforth appeared in the first episode of EastEnders back in 1985, playing Kathy Beale.
She’s spoken of how she had to persuade the show’s bosses to give her a chance at the role as they thought she looked too young to be Ian Beale’s mum.
And more than three decades on, she’s still looking just as youthful!
Gillian is 67 years old, while Kathy is 73.
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Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon
Lucy played Bethany Platt on Coronation Street.
Bethany is 23 years old, having been born to teen mum Sarah Platt (now Sarah Barlow) back in 2001.
But despite her baby face, Lucy is older than her alter ego – she’s 27 years old in real life and has just had her first child!
EastEnders star Letitia Dean
Another one of the original stars of the show, Letitia, who plays Sharon Watts, looks amazing in her alter ego’s skin-tight leggings!
Letitia is 55 years old while Sharon is just a couple of years younger at 53. Frankly, we can’t believe either alter ego is the age they are!
We’re not sure what she’s doing to stay looking so young, but we want some of it!
EastEnders star Laila Morse
Laila plays Big Mo Harris in EastEnders.
Viewers were staggered back in early 2020 when Mo mentioned her age and it was revealed that she was 84 years old, meaning she’s now almost 87!
But Laila herself is a more youthful 77 years old.
EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal
Suki Paneser runs her family and her businesses with a steely determination.
Suki‘s experience and grit make her appear older than her alter ego, actress Balvinder Sopal.
Balvinder is just 43 years old. She’s just 10 years older than Jaz Deol, who played her on-screen son Kheerat, and only seven years older than Amar Adatia who played her son Jags.
EastEnders star Navin Chowdhry
Villainous Nish in EastEnders has a wife and grown-up kids, but you might be surprised to hear he’s meant to be 61 years old. What’s his secret, right?!
Well it might be that actor Navin Chowdhry is actually only 51 years old in real life. Still looks good, though!
Read more: Coronation Street who’s leaving in 2023?
Have you been surprised by any real soap star ages? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.