The 11 worst ever soap characters – and no.1 is a national treasure
While some soaps wouldn't work without certain stars, some characters seem completely pointless.
While some soaps wouldn’t work without certain stars, some characters seem completely pointless.
The 11 worst soap characters of all time have been ranked by us – and many may have been forgotten about by viewers.
(Image: ITV/BBC)
When you think of iconic soap characters, Cain Dingle (played by Jeff Hordley) and Kim Tate (Claire King) top the list for Emmerdale, while Phil Mitchel (Steve McFadden) and Cat Slater (Jessie Wallace) are up there for EastEnders. Meanwhile, Roy Cropper (David Neilson) and Fred Elliott (John Savident) are Corrie legends. However, there are a host of characters who just don’t seem to offer much to ITV and BBC viewers. Here, express.co.uk has compiled a list of the 11 worst soap characters of all time – and number one is a national treasure…
11. Blanche Hunt
Blanche Hunt (Maggie Jones) is a controversial addition to the mix, as many would argue her character is legendary on Coronation Street. However, she was nothing more than a nagging mother and grandmother who couldn’t help but stir gossip. Maggie, who played Blanche, was an incredible actor, but her character was nothing special.
(Image: ITV)
10. Chas Dingle
Emmerdale would be nothing without the Dingle family, which keeps the drama coming year in year out. Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Mandy (Lisa Riley) are still great characters who offer fans of the soap a sense of exhilaration, but Chas is a bit drab. The character has become unlikeable and dull since cheating on fan-favourite Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt).
(Image: ITV)
9. Joe Macer
EastEnders’ Joe Macer (Ray Brooks) really didn’t need to be in the Walford-based soap. He was nothing more than one of Pauline Fowler’s (Wendy Richard) husbands. What was his purpose on the soap? I have no idea.
(Image: BBC)
8. Tracey the barmaid
Tracey (Jane Slaughter), whose surname is difficult to find, has been behind the bar at The Vic since 1985. While fans know and love her for being a long-serving character on the BBC soap, she is a little pointless. Either give Tracey some actual lines or axe her from Albert Square
While some soaps wouldn’t work without certain stars, some characters seem completely pointless.
7. Michael Bailey
Corrie’s Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell) is another pointless soap character. He’s been on the cobbles for more than five years – but does he bring anything to the table? I can’t think of any captivating scenes he’s been part of or any hard-hitting storylines…
(Image: ITV)
6. Sean Tully
Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) may offer some comedic relief on Coronation Street, but it’s a miracle the character has been on screens for so many decades. His tragic homeless storyline in 2018 was an interesting watch, but not much else has transpired for Sean in the past seven years…
(Image: ITV)
5. Bobby Crawford
Bobby Crawford (Jack Carroll) was the nephew of Coronation Street favourite Carla Connor (Alison King). However, his time on the cobbles fell flat, despite the character being part of a gripping blackmail plot. He seemed out of place and not needed on the soap, so he won’t be missed by ITV viewers
While some soaps wouldn’t work without certain stars, some characters seem completely pointless.
4. Laurel Thomas
Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) has been part of Emmerdale for more than 20 years—and it’s unclear how she’s lasted so long. The character is very whiny and dull. Over the years, she has experienced agonising grief and a battle with alcoholism, but she serves no excitement for viewers, and it might be worth killing her off so she goes out with a bang.
(Image: ITV)
3. Will Taylor
Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) was dramatically killed off on Emmerdale last year – it must be because producers saw sense. During his five years on the Yorkshire-based soap, Will married evil businesswoman Kim Tate (Claire King). I’m not sure how he scored her or what his purpose was on the soap – so it’s a relief he’s gone.
(Image: ITV )
2. Derek Branning
Who remembers Derek Branning? The character was portrayed by Terence Beesley in 1996 and Jamie Foreman between 2011 and 2012. While the other Branning brothers have been a staple of EastEnders, Derek felt a little out of place. He may have threatened Pat Butcher (Pam St Clement), but that’s about as exciting as it got for Derek.
(Image: BBC)
1. Ken Barlow
Topping the list is Ken Barlow actor William Roache, who has been in Coronation Street for more than 60 years. The 93-year-old’s tenure on the ITV soap is impressive, but his character has always come across as stiff and bland. Yes, Ken has been part of a plethora of juicy storylines over the decades, but it’s probably time he left Weatherfield.
(Image: ITV)
