LONG hours in front of the camera, learning lines, crying on demand: soap stars work hard for the money.
Whether they are pulling pints in their pubs or fixing the cars, the actors spend a huge chunk in this other life to provide viewers with their daily fix of soap stories.
But while the actors shouldn’t expect Hollywood salaries, the legends on the small screen can earn quite a hefty pay cheque.
From EastEnders to Coronation Street, who are the highest earners in soap land?
Danny Dyer
Mick Carter is the king of the Queen Vic and since Danny Dyer brought his proper naughty charm to Walford back in 2013 he’s cemented his place as one of the greats. Rumours that he pockets £400,000 from his EastEnders role might be overblown, with Beeb accounts revealing £250K was more realistic.
Steve McFadden
Phil Mitchell has survived a shooting, numerous car crashes, a fire and a heart attack and all that drama comes at a price. The Daily Star reported Steve McFadden earned £300,000 a year, but that wasn’t confirmed when the Beeb published stars’ salaries.
Jack P Shepherd
David Platt has been through a lot over the last few years and big storylines have kept Jack P Shepherd in the soap since he was 12. The long-suffering stalwart has a whopping price tag – Jack’s believed to be earning around £250,000 a year.
Adam Woodyatt
Ian Beale could buy a whole load of butties with Adam Woodyatt’s pay packet. The longest-serving EastEnders favourite nets up to £250,000 each year for his role as the Phil-baiting love juggernaut.
William Roache
Ken Barlow has been in Corrie since its first episode and he and the soap’s respected veterans such as Barbara Knox (Rita Tanner) net a rumoured £250K for their loyalty.
Michael Le Vell
Coronation Street wages are a state secret, but Michael earns a lot more than mechanic Kevin Webster, with his salary rumoured to be around £170,000.
Letitia Dean
Sharon appeared in the first episode of EastEnders, but has dipped in and out of the soap since then. Her juicy storylines and history of doing the double with Phil and Grant have kept her in the spotlight – and Sharon’s antics net Letitia more than £150,000 a year.
Diane Parish
Strong, sassy and a born survivor, Denise has become one of EastEnders’s finest women since she first appeared on the Square in 2006. She’s had sizzling romances with Ian Beale, Fatboy and Phil Mitchell and Diane Parish is paid more than £150,00 a year for her fabulousness.
Gillian Taylforth
Coming back from the dead is no easy task, so it’s only right that those skills should be richly rewarded. The legendary Gillian Taylforth reprised her role as Ian’s mum in 2015 and went straight into the £150K-plus wage bracket.
Alan Halsall
Fans of lovable mechanic Tyrone Dobbs will be thrilled to know that Alan Halsall signed a six-figure salary to stay in the soap last year, making him a contender in the wages department by earning more than £100,000 for his role.
