Cheryl’s ‘cringe’ Corrie scene to England manager’s surprise on EastEnders… watch soaps’ most surprising celeb cameos
THE world of soaps has seen it all – from shocking deaths to illicit affairs and rowdy catfights.
And over the years, bosses have often managed to convince A-list celebrities to make one-off cameos.
This week, pictures emerged of pop legend Cher performing a duet with EastEnders favourite Barry Evans, played by Shaun Williamson.
The pair teamed up in the Queen Vic to perform some of Cher’s most iconic songs, including her 1965 hit with Sonny, I’ve Got You Babe.
Jessie Wallace‘s Kat Slater and Pam St Clement‘s Pat Butcher were among the spectators cheering on the duo.
Their unlikely collaboration was filmed as part of a new advert by channel UKTV Gold, which has now changed its name to U in a rebrand.
Speaking about the ad, U bosses said: “Who better to do this than mega superstar Cher, while meeting some new and familiar friends along the way?”
Here, we look at some of the best – and most ridiculous – guest appearances.
Prime time
Before Boris Johnson became Britain’s prime minister, he was the mayor of London – making him an ideal candidate for an EastEnders cameo.
In one episode in 2009, Boris, known for his love of cycling, popped into Peggy Mitchell’s Queen Vic for assistance when his bike got punctured.
Just before then, Peggy (Barbara Windsor) was telling other Walford residents how she wouldn’t hesitate to give Boris a piece of her mind if she ever met him.
But from the moment he walked into the pub, she shamelessly fawned over him to the bewilderment of Roxy (Rita Simons) and Sam (Daniella Westbrook).
At the time, the Labour party wasn’t too pleased with the cameo and expressed their displeasure to the BBC.
The broadcaster, however, maintained that his appearance was well within editorial guidelines.
Legging it
When daytime queen Lorraine Kelly appeared on Coronation Street, many fans were taken aback, especially by her acting skills.
In the 2019 show, Audrey (Sue Nicholls) and Gail (Helen Worth) were bizarrely indulging in a spot of archery when they got distracted.
Shortly after, an unconvincing cry could be heard. Gail had shot Lorraine in the leg, who stumbled out saying: “You daft wee woman. You could have killed me.”
Laughing about her performance, Lorraine told Graham Norton it was “as wooden as a forest of trees”.
Coronation Street's 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
Eds up
Although he is one of the biggest stars on the planet, Ed Sheeran still manages to pop up when you least expect him – remember that Game of Thrones cameo?
Before that awkward performance, he travelled Down Under to appear on Home and Away, playing himself.
Viewers were made to believe that Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) was Ed’s nanny when she lived in the UK. She also had no idea he had grown into the megastar he is.
Just like his brief time on GOT, Ed couldn’t help but sing a few notes.
When Harry met Danny
In 2021, fans were pleasantly surprised when former England manager Harry Redknapp waltzed into the Queen Vic during the Euros.
Pub landlord Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) excitedly told his wife Linda (Kellie Bright) that they were expecting royalty to join them. But he soon had to clarify that it was the footie manager, not Prince Harry.
Star-struck Mick got Harry to sign his West Ham shirt and even made fun of him for managing Tottenham Hotspur.
Their interaction ended with Mick telling him there was always a pint in the house for him whenever he was nearby. Fans were impressed with Harry’s acting skills and even called for him to return.
Gushing about his experience on the show, Harry said: “I really enjoyed it, and they made it easy for me.”
Hang loose
When Janet Street-Porter appeared on Neighbours in 2019, she was over the moon and said it had been a lifetime accomplishment.
But she probably did not envisage the awkwardness that would arise on set when she bumped into an old friend.
She and Colette Mann, who plays Sheila Canning, actually know each other after working on a TV show together in the 80s. The only problem was that Janet couldn’t recall her name.
Talking about her experience on Loose Women, she said, “When I went on the set, she said, ‘Well, I haven’t seen you for a few years!’
“I was thinking what’s her name, what’s her name, what’s her name!”
Popping in
In 2013, Cheryl made a brief appearance on Coronation Street for ITV’s Text Santa campaign.
She popped into the Rovers Inn for a meeting with her best friend Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) and surprised residents who thought she was telling lies that they were mates.
After she arrives in her red mini, she is disappointed when Tina tells her she won’t be going to a Christmas party with her as she has to work.
The pair then put out an ad to find someone else to escort her, which is answered by many of the Street’s characters. Sally Webster mistakes her for Rihanna, while Chesney thinks she’s Myleene Klass.
After a lot of shenanigans, she settles on resident nerd Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden), leaving the other auditionees stunned. While leaving, she tells him: “If things progress, I won’t even have to change my name.”
Some critics dubbed Cheryl’s acting chops ‘cringe’, but there’s no denying she and Michelle looked fabulous together behind the bar!
A Lil’ cameo
In 2009, Lily Allen went all out to promote her album It’s Not Me, It’s You.
The promotional trail led her to Neighbours, where she bagged a guest spot on none other than Erinsborough’s Pirate Radio station.
She was interviewed by Zeke Kinsky, played by Matthew Werksmeister and even performed a song from the album.
While on set, life-long Neighbours fan Lily was so star-struck that she kept tweeting about the stars she had met.
Bon’s on the box
When it comes to the Big Four soaps, Hollyoaks has a reputation for pulling out all the stops when it comes to whacky scenes.
In its late-night spin-off Hollyoaks Later, pop icon Bonnie Tyler appeared to Carmel McQueen (Gemma Merna) as her guardian angel.
A distressed Carmel had gotten herself locked up after she was arrested for prostitution. In ned of a friend, Bonnie was on hand to offer some words of advice.
They even had a mini duet together when they sang Holding Out For a Hero.
Jumping the shark
Although Monty Python star Michael Palin was busy shooting his travelogue, Ful Circle, in New South Wales, he found time for an appearance on Home and Away.
In the 1996 scene, Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn) and Marilyn are having a romantic heart-to-heart when Michael appears to ask them whether there are any sharks in the Summer Bay sea.
Not impressed that his moment was ruined, Donald sternly replies: “No”. Michael then responds: “Jolly good, thanks awfully.”
Michael then makes his way into the waters but hilariously has a change of mind when Marilyn informs him that there are plenty of jellyfish.