We've had a look back at the child soap stars who grew up on our screens to see exactly what happened when the TV bubble burst.
We're not going to lie finding out where our favourite childhood soap stars have got to has made us feel really, really OLD. Remember when 'ickle Tom Cunningham was the most unfortunate four year old in Hollyoaks village? Well now the soap star is all grown-up, partying in Ibiza and turning our hair grey.
No really, someone put on the Antiques Roadshow and give us something to knit, please.
So, where are your favourite child actors from EastEnders, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale now? What did they get up to after spending their precious younger years in a mythical soap town? Sit back, relax and grab a Hobnob as we have found out all...
CHECK OUT: child soap stars - where are they now?
Child Soap Stars - Where Are They Now?
1 of 20Molly Conlin AKA Dotty Cotton, EastEnders
Molly played Nasty Nick's daughter Dotty Cotton in EastEnders between 2008-10 and caused endless mischief with Tiffany Butcher. But where is she now?
2 of 20Molly Conlin AKA Dotty Cotton, EastEnders
Molly has since gone to college after deciding to concentrate on her studies. After leaving the soap, the actress starred in Annabel's Kitchen, Horrible Histories and Blandings as well as adverts for Ragu Pasta Sauce and Bold 2 In 1. She can now be seen posting glam photos on Instagram.
3 of 20Helen Flanagan AKA Rosie Webster, Coronation Street
Corrie's bad girl had some meaty storylines including being kidnapped (twice!) and dealing with her mother's breast cancer diagnosis. Helen left the soap in 2011, but what has she been up to since?
4 of 20Helen Flanagan AKA Rosie Webster, Coronation Street
Nine years since leaving the soap, the actress has appeared in I'm a Celeb, Celebrity Super Spa, Celebrity Wedding Planner, Holby City and Celebs Go Dating. She also has two daughters with her footballer ex Scott Sinclair.
5 of 20Melissa Suffield AKA Lucy Beale, EastEnders
Before Hetti Bywater, the Square's tearaway Lucy Beale was played by Melissa Suffield. But where is Mel now?
6 of 20Melissa Suffield AKA Lucy Beale, EastEnders
Since leaving Walford, Melissa has evolved as an actress and has since starred in Casualty and played the role of Norma Jean in a musical about Marilyn Monroe. She's also married to long-term partner Robert Brendan and they've welcomed their daughter River into the world.
7 of 20Ellis Hollins AKA Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
Ellis Hollins played Hollyoaks' Tom Cunningham since he was just three years old and his storylines have gripped us all, from dealing with his mother's shock death to dealings with Sienna Blake... But where is Tom now?
8 of 20Ellis Hollins AKA Tom Cunningham, Hollyoaks
Ellis bowed out of his role as Tom in 2024 amid a huge Hollyoaks cast cull.
9 of 20Sam Aston AKA Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
Sam Aston played the adorable Corrie's Chesney Brown since 2003. Speaking about life growing up on a popular soap, he said "At 16, all my mates were getting fake IDs and going to pubs I always knew I couldn't do that." But where is Sam Aston now?
10 of 20Sam Aston AKA Chesney Brown, Coronation Street
Sam is still appearing in Corrie and won Dancing on Ice 2025. He's married to wife Briony Gardner and they share three children. The star had previously said, "I do think I'm romantic. I like to treat my girlfriend, buy her flowers and make a fuss of her."
11 of 20Eden Taylor-Draper AKA Belle Dingle, Emmerdale
Eden Taylor-Draper has played Belle Dingle since 2005, when she fell down a mineshaft on Christmas Day. Speaking about being a child actor she said at the time, "There is no time to go off the rails like Belle, I go home and learn my lines and I am in bed by 9pm!" Where is Eden now?
12 of 20Eden Taylor-Draper AKA Belle Dingle, Emmerdale
Eden is still in Emmerdale and was involved in a huge domestic abuse storyline last year.
13 of 20Charlie Jones AKA Ben Mitchell, EastEnders
'Enders troublemaker Ben Mitchell has been played by a handful of actors, but we'll never forget the sweet Charlie Jones who was tormented by the evil Stella. Where is Charlie now?
14 of 20Charlie Jones AKA Ben Mitchell, EastEnders
Charlie looks COMPLETELY different to his Walford days. He continued his acting career after studying at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, with a notable role in the 2020 TV show Noughts + Crosses. He's also starred in ITV detective show McDonald and Dodds.
15 of 20Sonny Flood AKA Josh Ashworth, Hollyoaks
Of course you remember Hollyoak's rather swishy-haired Josh Ashworth. His character was best known for dating Amy Barnes and an array of outlandish storylines including attempted murder, underage sex, drugs, drinking and joy riding. Where is Sonny now?
16 of 20Sonny Flood AKA Josh Ashworth, Hollyoaks
Sonny has since completed a law degree at the University of Manchester, working as a paralegal. Miles away from underage drinking a pint at The Dog, eh.
17 of 20Maisie Smith AKA Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders
When Maisie first joined the cast of EastEnders back in 2008, she was only seven-years-old but she'd already had a small part in Hollywood film The Other Boleyn Girl. After leaving the soap in 2014 to pursue a music career, the 12 year old took to posting her singing videos online.
18 of 20Maisie Smith AKA Tiffany Butcher, EastEnders
Maisie returned to the soap full-time in 2017 before leaving again in December 2021. She competed on Strictly in 2020 and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2022, the same year she made her musical theatre debut. She's currently dating The Wanted singer Max George.
19 of 20Amy and Emily Walton AKA Bethany Platt, Coronation Street
Little Bethany Platt had a traumatic life during her short years on the soap initially before her exit in 2007. But did you know she was actually played by twins, Amy and Emily Walton?
20 of 20Amy and Emily Walton AKA Bethany Platt, Coronation Street
Amy and Emily haven't really explored the world of acting more since they left the show.
EastEnders fans were pretty shocked in 2019 when it came to light that Dotty Cotton would be returning to the Square but not as we know her.
BBC bosses announced that Milly Zero, who is known for her roles on CBBC shows, would be taking on the role instead.
At the time Millie said, "I am honestly so excited to be playing Dotty Cotton and joining the E20 family. Especially playing alongside June Brown, who I have been watching on my telly since I was a young girl.
"Her and Dotty have such an interesting relationship to explore with a complicated history, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. It all feels very surreal and I am buzzing already!"