A life on the cobbles of Coronation Street or the market stalls of EastEnders isn't the most glamorous, with actors often dressed down to play their downbeat characters.
But away from the spotlight, certain stars of the country's soap operas look dramatically different and enjoy glitzy lives that are a world away from their alter-egos'.
From the Coronation Street schoolgirl who's actually a boho hippie to the EastEnders actor who was hiding his good looks, The Mirror reveals what some of your favourite stars really look like away from the camera...
Gemma Winter, Coronation Street
Mum-of-four and kebab seller Gemma lives her life in trackies topped off with day-glo accessories, and is partial to a stomach-baring crop-top.
But in real life, actress Dolly-Rose Campbell, 33, oozes glamour, enjoying swish holidays sipping cocktails in New York and visiting art galleries in her native Manchester.
And unlike her character, Dolly prefers a peaceful life chilling with her dog and knitting.
As for similarities between the two, Dolly says there are none.
“I’m quite crafty and I like knitting and sewing, which I don’t think Gemma would enjoy," she previously told the Sunday Post.
"And we have a very different dress sense.”
Faye Windass, Coronation Street
As the adopted schoolgirl daughter of Anna and Eddie Windass, Faye was famed for her wild child antics, falling pregnant at 13 and giving birth in secret.
Actress Ellie Leach, 19, leads a much less dramatic life. The cousin of co-star Brooke Vincent - who plays Sophie Webster - Ellie regularly shares pictures of her stylish socialising with fans.
She and boyfriend Reagan Pettman have enjoyed luxurious holidays to Prague and Los Angeles as well as beachside breaks to exclusive destinations.
Summer Spellman, Coronation Street
Summer first featured on the show in 2017 as the schoolgirl ward of vicar Billy Mayhew and his partner Todd Grimshaw.
Actress Matilda Freeman recently left the show to explore other projects, with Harriet Bibby drafted in to replace her.
And away from the cobbles, Matilda, 16, is a boho chick who sports wavy hair and enjoys surfing and camping with her friends.
Will Savage, Hollyoaks
Geeky Will Savage started out as a shy, intellectual geek, but who knew that behind the chunky knits he was hiding a seriously sinister side?
Actor James Atherton, 33, is of course nothing like his creepy character and is rocks a much suaver look in real life.
Not a fan of the geek glasses, James is all hair sweeps and designer stubble - and not a cardigan in sight.
Ben Mitchell, EastEnders
Make no bones about it, Ben loved a bomber jacket.
As the wayward son of an even more wayward Phil Mitchell, Ben found himself at the centre of some of the show's darkest storylines and the most thuggish outfits.
Last year, actor Harry Reid, 28, was recast and admitted he was, "shocked but not upset over the decision."
"This is business and this is the game that we're in. The acting industry is very cut-throat," he told Digital Spy.
"I've said before that I didn't come into this industry to play one part, because I love exploring different characters' lives and personalities."
But it means he can finally do away with the black coats and thuggish crop, with real-life Harry actually actually one seriously dapper dude with a raft of female fans.
