The showbiz world can be a cruel mistress.
One day you're waltzing around on the red carpet - the next, you're waiting for your agent to call.
Soap stars seem to have the dream gig, tackling some hard-hitting storylines with maximum exposure.
But what happens when they leave the show?
Here we take a look at the very different careers some of our favourite faces went on to have.
Nigel Harman - EastEnders
Nigel, 49, who played bad boy Dennis Rickman from 2003 - 2005, is a world away from Walford, 17 years after he was killed off the soap.
The actor, who turned his back on Albert Square, is now a meditation coach.
On his website, the soap star says that he believes in making meditation and mindfulness accessible for all.
He writes: "Meditation isn't only for people with shaved heads and orange robes. It can help anyone live a more relaxed and fulfilled life.
"When you return to the natural presence, which is in each of us, you can find true peace."
Gemma Merna - Hollyoaks
Blonde bombshell Gemma played Carmel McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2006 to 2014.
But despite being part of some of the Channel 4 soap's juiciest storylines, she decided to retrain as a yoga teacher.
Previously telling MailOnline her life was: "very, very hectic for me...120mph...and a ten-hour day", the actress decided to adopt a much more zen way of living.
Gemma now has her own yoga studio in Liverpool in which she offers classes to "teach people how to connect with the breath and bring your thought process into the present moment, which can then be incorporated into our everyday life."
She also stresses the importance of "switching off from the turbulent world we live in, and focusing on what really matters, what’s going on in the here and now, which, accompanied by a regular yoga practise, can lead to a healthy body and a happy mind".
Sean Wilson - Coronation Street
After 21 years on the cobbles, Sean quit his role as Martin Platt to become a cheesemaker.
He left Corrie in 2005 and after a stint on Dancing On Ice in 2008, decided to try a different recipe for success.
Sean went onto cook in a number of Michelin-star restaurants and has his own company, Saddleworth Cheese.
He released his first book, The Great Northern Cookbook, in 2012 - and had an accompanying Channel 5 TV series released in 2013.
Tony Discipline - EastEnders
Tony played Alfie Moon's cousin Tyler in EastEnders from 2011 until 2013 when he was written out.
With his brooding good looks, Tyler was an instant hit with BBC viewers and even chanced his arm in Hollywood.
But in 2020 he announced he was pursuing a very different career path.
Taking to Instagram with a pic of him looking dashing in his London Fire Brigade uniform, Tony sent fans into a frenzy.
One asked: "Are You A Fireman Now Then?"
Another said: "You got a new job. "Well done mate".
While former EastEnders star James Forde, who swapped Albert Square to become a builder, commented: "Fair play geeza good on ya!
"We’ve both gone back down to reality! "
Katie Jarvis - EastEnders
Katie played Kat Slater's wayward cousin Hayley Slater in EastEnders for a year until February 2019.
But in October of the same year, the actress began working as a security guard at her local B&M store, in London, and looking after her two children.
Fellow actors, including EastEnders alumni Tamzin Outhwaite, and fans praised the young mum for stepping up and providing for her family.
Katie went on to appear on Victoria Derbyshire's BBC show, followed by an interview with Grazia magazine, to admit she had felt 'hurt and embarrassed' for being 'made to feel ashamed for having a normal job'
The actress added: "It's the nature of being an actor; gigs come and go, and after my contract with EastEnders ended in February, I found a new job as soon as I could. Doing work like this is also what keeps me grounded."
