CORONATION Street fans have noticed a huge blunder with Julie Carp’s return as she made a grand comeback after 10 years on the show.
Played by Katy Cavanagh, the sister of Eileen Grimshaw, was at Chariot Square Hotel at the same time as her nephew, Todd.
Spotting his aunt in the hotel for the singles Tea Dance, Todd exclaimed: “I don’t believe it, Julie!”
“Todd! Look at you!” she replied, adding: “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
Whilst the reunion between Julie and Todd was rather rosy, for Eileen’s boyfriend George Shuttleworth, it didn’t quite go to plan.
George seemed bemused as to who Julie was and appeared to not recognise her face at all.
However, baffled Coronation Street viewers have pointed out a huge blunder as they figured out how George must either be totally oblivious or pretending to not know who Julie is after a ‘giveaway clue’.
Eileen has long had a picture frame with all of her family members hanging proudly in the home of the Grimshaw’s.
As well as her children, one of the most prominent people in the photo frame is Julie herself.
It left fans baffled as to how George would fail to recognise her given he lives in a house where her photo hangs on the wall.
Moreover, it left fans questioning how George would never have even encountered a photo of Julie throughout his relationship with Eileen.
Reacting in utter bemusement, one fan penned: “Hang on, George doesn’t even recognise Julie Carp as Eileen’s sister….yet there’s a photo of her in Eileen’s house????”
It left another fan quipping: “It’s Gone ridiculous.”
Before a third went on to joke: “Yep thought that straight away!
“Mind you he’s only lived there a couple of years and there’s so many people crammed into the house there’s probably someone stood in front of the picture!”
Whilst viewers were delighted to see Julie make her comeback, it was clear that she was harbouring a huge secret as she reacted cagey at the thought of coming into contact with her sister Eileen.
Soap characters who've been recast
Soap operas are staple viewing for many people, but even some of the most famous characters have been played by different actors. Here are some examples from over the years.
Coronation Street
- Tracy Barlow: Kate Ford took on the role of Corrie legend Tracy Barlow in 2002. Before Kate, three other actresses had played Tracy – most notably Dawn Acton from 1988 to 1999.
- Nick Tilsley: Ben Price has been playing Gail’s oldest child in 2009, but the former Footballers’ Wives star is the third actor to take on the part.
- Sarah Platt: Although Tina O’Brien debuted as Sarah Platt in 1999, she is the third actress who has played the iconic role of Sarah Platt.
- David Platt: Completing the line-up of Gail’s children, David was initially played by Thomas Ormson for a decade before Jack P. Shepherd took over.
- Daniel Osbourne: For almost a decade, the role of Ken Barlow’s son Daniel has been portrayed by actor Rob Mallard. Before Rob joined, two other actors had previously played Daniel.
- Bethany Platt: Fans know Lucy Fallon as Bethany nowadays but before her, three other actresses had stepped into the character’s shoes.
- Kirk Sutherland: Before Andy Whyment took on the role of Kirk, he played by an uncredited actor in his very first appearance.
- Todd Grimshaw: Gareth Pierce stepped into the role of Todd back in 2020, becoming the second performer to play this part.
- Summer Spellman: Harriet Bibby became the second actress to play Summer, taking over the role from Matilda Freeman in 2020.
- Ryan Connor: Ryan Prescott currently plays the long-running character, but Ben Thompson and Sol Heras had earlier portrayed the role.
EastEnders
- Martin Fowler: Although Martin was the first baby born on-screen in EastEnders, he hasn’t always been played by the same person. His current portrayer, James Bye, is the third actor to star as the character.
- Peter Beale: Seven actors have portrayed Ian Beale’s elder son, with the current actor, Thomas Law, in his second stint as the character.
- Ben Mitchell: Ben has been played by a total of six actors – with Max Bowden bowing out of the role in March 2024.
- Bobby Beale: Before Clay Milner Russell, Ian’s younger son had been played by four other actors.
- Freddie Slater: Bobby’s best mate, Freddie Slater, had been previously played by twins Alex and Tom Kilby before Bobby Brazier took over in 2022.
- Chelsea Fox: Former Coronation Street actress Zaraah Abrahams took over the role of Chelsea in 2020. The character had been first played by Tiana Benjamin from 2006 to 2010.
- Lauren Branning: Jacqueline Jossa took on the role of Lauren in 2010, succeeding Madeline Duggan who’d played her from 2006 to 2010.
- Johnny Carter: Johnny has been played by three actors since debuting in 2013 – most recently, Charlie Suff has taken on the role.
