For many actors, landing a role in a major soap opera can be the ultimate breakthrough, as your character has been a television staple for decades, garnering huge ratings and awards.
But once stars say goodbye, a fickle industry can spell the end of an illustrious career and the need for retraining into something new.
That was more evident than ever recently, as Emmerdale star Adele Silva revealed she gave up acting to become a teacher at the National Film and Television School.
And after Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote quit the cobblestones in 2015, she revealed she’s retrained to become a nail technician.
As soap opera stars ditch the acting world for a slew of entirely different roles, Web takes a look at the household names who have retired from the spotlight with ‘regular’ jobs.
Adele Silva
Fame gone: Adele Silva, 42, who played the character Kelly Windsor in Emmerdale, is now a mother and a teacher at the National Film and Television School
Silva-Futter: From 1993 to 2011 she played various roles in the soap
Adele, 42, who played the character Kelly Windsor in Emmerdale, is now a teacher at the National Film and Television School.
The actress also shares eight-year-old daughter Sienna with Oliver Farber after suffering three miscarriages.
Adele, who also appeared in 2015’s Hollyoaks, is remembered for being part of a series of steamy affair stories during her stint on Emmerdale from 1993 to 2011.
The star left Emmerdale after her pregnancy with Sienna and decided not to return for her sister’s final scenes on the soap as she wanted to focus on her first child.
Adele moved to Los Angeles to seek movie star fame, but her dreams were dashed and it turned out she had taken a job as a saleswoman.
After the Chron published pictures of the actress cleaning up and stocking up on Ted Baker on Melrose Avenue, Adele said: “I work as an actress and in this climate you can either sell your soul or work honestly.”
The actress, who returned to the soap opera for another brief stint in 2011, announced last year that she wouldn’t rule out returning to the soap opera again.
Georgia May Foote
Done! Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote has retrained as a nail technician and opened her own salon in Manchester
Actress: The actress is best known for her role as Katy Armstrong on the ITV soap opera. After leaving the soap in 2015, her character was killed off-screen in 2017
Georgia, best known for her role as Katy Armstrong on the ITV soap opera, has launched her own company, GMF Nails, in the beauty world.
Georgia, who is still working as an actress and voice actor according to her social media, first qualified as a nail technician in 2021.
The former soap star has even opened her own salon in Middleton, Manchester and has an Instagram following of 5,000 people.
Georgia’s site reveals that she offers services such as one-on-one tuition, as well as builder gel, gel polish, and a variety of nail arts.
Georgia, who married boyfriend Kris Evans last month, recently announced that she will now be offering lessons for two and six hours respectively, priced at between £150 and £400.
The announcement said, “I will now be offering one-on-one lessons with myself!” “These lessons are for qualified nail technicians who want to improve and perfect their skills.”
Hetti Bywater
Killer Storyline! Hetti was at the center of one of EastEnders’ most explosive whodunnits when her character Lucy Beale was murdered in 2014
Drink beer! Since then, the young actress has had a job in a north London bar
Hetti was at the center of one of EastEnders’ most explosive whodunnits when her character Lucy Beale was murdered in 2014.
Since then, the young actress has taken a job at a north London bar. A source told the Sunday Mirror: “She cleared glasses while guests watched football and smoked cigarettes with colleagues outside.”
Hetti revealed her hatred for Lucy when she hit back at an Instagram troll who had commented on her pics, calling her a “trampy little w***e”.
She wrote, “Since you kindly comment on many of my stories, I will now take the time to respond to each one.”
“First of all, this ‘gently white’ girl is allowed to speak as she pleases. Although I am very familiar with the English language, I am free to use words as I see fit. (sic)’
But she agreed to one comment, writing, “I’m glad Bobby killed Lucy too, I hated her.”
In response to another point made by the troll, she said, “LGBTQIA+ history is an extremely important part of education.” “Believing otherwise is ridiculously problematic and homophobic.”
Hetti then added: “Trampy s**t? fair comment. I love gay men, yes I love straight men too. (Those who are not homophobic or sexist.)’
Adam Woodyatt
Acting job: After leaving EastEnders in 2020, Adam began working on food stalls and has been spotted selling vegan food at a festival in Cheshire
Big return: And while Adam has immersed himself in the world of gastronomy, he will reprise his role as Ian Beale later this year alongside old flame Cindy (played by Michelle Collins).
After retiring from EastEnders in 2020, Adam was spotted selling vegan food at a festival in Cheshire.
The actor helped run a plant-based street food trailer with catering company Kilty & Co.
He was spotted selling Cajun wedges and kedgeree at the In The Park pub in Wimbledon in 2022 and working at a food stand in Marlow in 2021, telling customers he was “getting paid in burgers”.
Adam had been with EastEnders since the first episode in 1985 and was the longest-serving member of the EastEnders cast when he stepped down from that role for three years.
And while Adam has immersed himself in the world of gastronomy, later this year he will reprise his role as Ian Beale alongside veteran Cindy (played by Michelle Collins).
Tony Discipline
Throwback: Tony Discipline, 34, who played Alfie Moon’s cousin Tyler Moon from 2011 to 2013, has completely transformed his life out of the limelight after leaving EastEnders
Wow: Despite being involved in several dramatic storylines during his two-year stint on the BBC soap, Tony has left acting behind and now works as a firefighter and barman
A decade after his departure from Albert Square, Tony has completely transformed his life away from the spotlight.
The actor, who played Alfie Moon’s cousin Tyler Moon from 2011 to 2013, has since left acting to work as a firefighter and bartender.
Tony has now opened up about his career move but hasn’t ruled out returning to Albert Square if an opportunity ever arises.
He told The Sun: “I love it.” Every day is different and you feel like you’re helping your community. I love it.
“I enjoyed my time there. It was a great chapter in my life and if the opportunity ever came up I would definitely be interested. Tyler is still alive, so it could happen. He left to go on a cruise with his brother Anthony. They must have gotten stuck in the arctic because it was a long old cruise!’
Tony also runs and serves drinks at a traveling bar for events and weddings, where he regularly hangs out with longtime fans of the soap.
He added, “A lot of people call it ‘The Little Vic’ after seeing me bartender and knowing me from Eastenders.”
Charlie Clements
RIP: Charlie Clements played Bradley Branning on EastEnders between 2006 and 2010 and left the soap when his character was killed
Breaking new ground: Charlie continued acting after leaving the popular soap opera, but has also worked as a chef and has posted numerous food photos to his Instagram account over the years
Charlie starred as Bradley Branning on EastEnders and won several awards for his role as Max Branning’s downtrodden son between 2006 and 2010 before his character was killed off during the soap’s 25th anniversary live episode on February 19, 2010.
Shortly after EastEnders he played the role of David Filde in a touring production of The Haunting. And in 2012 he played the role of Mick in Meredish Oakes’ controversial play Faith at the Courtyard Theater in Hoxton, London.
But in 2020, he started posting photos with the hashtags “chef” and the acting chef on his Instagram.
He later told Loose Women that he was working at a garden centre, both in the kitchen as a chef and in the plants department, when work as an actor dried up during lockdown.
“Working there increased my knowledge of all things plant-related.” Acting stopped for everyone, it was a way of supporting my family. “Ultimately, I’ve never been scared of work,” he said.
“I’ve never been work-shy and the media picks that up.”
“There’s a mentality that if you have a job that’s in the public eye, you can’t get a regular job.” “I work as an actor and I have to support my family.”
Explaining he was furloughed during the UK’s first lockdown shortly after starting work in the kitchen, he said: “I’ve just been homeschooling the kids and my wife.” to have the children.”
In April 2021, he posted a photo of himself as a chef, but captioned the photo: ‘Last day as a chef today!’ Next week is rehearsals.’
Adam Rickitt
A blast from the past: Adam played Nick Tilsley on Coronation Street between 1997 and 2004.
Drink up: Adam and his wife Katy, a Good Morning Britain presenter, bought a popular craft beer bottle shop, gin specialist and microbar called Dexter and Jones in Knutsford in 2020
Adam starred as Nick Tilsley on Coronation Street between 1997 and 2004. During this time he signed a six-album deal with Polydor and released one album in 1999 – Good Times. “I Breathe Again” peaked at number five on the UK charts.
Adam later starred on New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street and was known for a time as Kyle Kelly on Hollyoaks, but when he left the soap opera in 2020 he bought a popular craft beer bottle shop, Gin Specialists and a microbar called Dexter and Jones, in Knutsford.
He and his wife Katy, a Good Morning Britain presenter, bought the establishment and were solely reliant on supporting their income in the early days of the pandemic.
That summer, he received a road ban for drunk driving when he was pulled over by police for driving without his lights on. The Sun reported that his lawyers said in court: “He found the whole process very troubling and accepts full responsibility for his actions.”
“He owns a bar and has had a difficult day. He put most of his savings (into the bar) and spent some time getting it up and running, but then Covid struck and caused a strain.”
“He is also known as an actor but that work ended for him in March and there is no acting work at this time due to the Covid situation.” That work has all but dried up for him and he relies solely on his bar to keep afloat to stay.
“He’s only paid £1,000 a month, a modest income and everything he has goes back to the bar.” family.”
Kate Jarvis
Saying goodbye: Kate played Kat Slater’s boisterous cousin Hayley Slater in EastEnders for a year until February 2019, and in October of that year she began working on the door at the B&M store
Angry: She then appeared on the BBC show Victoria Derbyshire, followed by an interview with Grazia magazine in which she admitted she had felt “hurt and embarrassed”.
Kate played Kat Slater’s boisterous cousin Hayley Slater in EastEnders for a year until February 2019. In October this year she began working behind the door of her local B&M store in Romford, east London, looking after her two children.
She said at the time, “I’ve taken a step back from acting.” “I have a job and I’m taking care of my kids.”
She then appeared on Victoria Derbyshire’s BBC show, followed by an interview with Grazia magazine, in which she admitted she felt “hurt and ashamed” because “you were ashamed of having a normal job “.
She added that she was proud to speak up on behalf of hard-working single mothers because providing for their families is what matters most to her.
Jarvis said, “It’s the nature of acting; Appearances come and go and after my contract with EastEnders ended in February I found a new job as soon as possible. “Through such work I stay on the ground.”
Sean Wilson
Legend: Sean starred as Martin Platt on Coronation Street for 20 years before leaving the soap in 2005 and has immersed himself in the world of cheese making
Foodie: After quitting the soap opera, Sean became a chef, and after meeting Susie Fenwick, the two started a cheese company called the Saddleworth Cheese Company
Sean starred as Martin Platt on Coronation Street for 20 years and after retiring in 2005 he went on to appear in several other British television dramas including Waterloo Road.
Sean, 57, then became a chef and after meeting Susie Fenwick, the two started a cheese company called the Saddleworth Cheese Company.
He told Lorraine: “Since 2009 we have won 46 international and national cheese awards. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a great chef,” he said.
“I got interested in food science back in the 80’s before it was fashionable and in 2005 I worked in a Michelin starred restaurant after leaving Coronation Street.
In 2012, he even published The Great Northern Cookbook and secured a four-part Channel 5 TV series. He has also cooked at several Michelin-star restaurants
In 2018 Sean announced he was returning to Reaseheath College to become a Lecturer in Cheese. He said: “I will return as a lecturer to the class where it all began ten years ago.”
Sean reappeared briefly on Coronation Street in 2018, telling ITV’s Lorraine: “I went to the butcher the day before filming and he said, ‘How are you going?’ Are you nervous?’ and I said ‘I don’t know’ but everyone kept asking me and it made me nervous!’
“I walked into the building and when I got there it was the same people on the set. The first scene is with Jack [P Shepherd]and the first shot on set they said “thank you” it was like we were rewinding the years.
“It felt like just putting on an old sweater.” “Everyone made me feel really welcome. I find it easy going, but it was really nice.”
Gemma Merna
Soap favourite: Gemma, 38, played Carmen McQueen on Hollyoaks for eight years from 2006 to 2014 and won awards for her comedic performances
Breaking new ground: After Gemma left Hollyoaks, she dedicated herself to her fitness career and went on to work as a yoga teacher and personal trainer
Gemma, 38, played Carmen McQueen in Hollyoaks for eight years, from 2006 to 2014. After Gemma left the soap, she devoted herself to her fitness career, going on to work as a yoga teacher and personal trainer.
On her Instagram pages she describes herself as an accredited Mind & Wellness Coach and always posts photos of her yoga or fitness.
Gemma said she always wanted to give up acting and pursue yoga teaching in Morocco, finally taking the plunge in 2015 after being persuaded by a friend.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Gemma explained, “Yoga is my life right now, so it never feels like I’m ‘reaching’.” I do it every day, but then again [acting] The job comes and it suits me, it’s all pretty flexible.
“When people first walk into the room for one of my classes, they might see me as ‘Gemma from Hollyoaks.'” But by the time they leave, I’m just ‘Gemma the yoga teacher’ and they had a great class.
“I’m very tough in my classes — nobody gets away with anything!” So when they’re in the room, they have to focus on their breathing and just do the class.”
In March 2016, Gemma helped keep Liverpool Yoga Studios open 24 hours by volunteering to teach impromptu classes to raise money for Sport Relief.