1 week Ago By Conor O'Brien
CORONATION Street fans have been left gobsmacked after discovering an EastEnders’ star’s forgotten role in the soap.Only a few actors over the years have played regular characters in both shows.ITVEastEnders’ Zaraah Abrahams used to star in Corrie[/caption]Times Newspapers LtdShe portrayed Joanne Jackson from 2005 to 2007[/caption]BBCZaraah began playing Chelsea Fox in EastEnders in 2020[/caption]Zaraah Abrahams, 38, is currently starring as Chelsea Fox in the BBC soap.
But viewers have been stunned after learning of Zaraah’s past role in Corrie.She played Joanne Jackson from 2005 until ultimately departing in 2007.Taking to X, a fan wrote: “Just flicked onto #ClassicCorrie.
OMG I didn’t know Zaraah Abrahams ( Chelsea Fox in #EastEnders) was on Classic Corrie.”Another replied: “Yes has been for a while. Just a small part though.
..”A third shared: “I cannot believe you did not know.
Surely!“She also starred in Waterloo Road after she left Weatherfield.”Joanne was introduced to Corrie alongside “twin sister” Jessie (Nailah Cumberbatch) – later revealed to be her cousin.She had relationships with Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson), Jamie Baldwin (Rupert Hill) and Liam Connor (Robert-James Collier).
The character left having been paid £5,000 by Carla Connor (Alison King) for her silence amid a legal dispute. Zaraah joined the cast of EastEnders in 2020, becoming the second actress to play Chelsea.She succeeded Tiana Benjamin, who originated the role from 2006 to 2010.
Speaking at the time of her casting, Zaraah said: “I am so excited to be joining such an iconic show and I am really looking forward to taking on the role of Chelsea Fox.”It’s not the first time fans have spotted the actress pop up in another show.Fans were floored after spotting a pre-famous Zaraah in legendary CITV kids’ show, Jungle Run.
A fan shared a TikTok clip from the kids programme on a Facebook EastEnders fan page.In the video, Zaraah participates in Jungle Run alongside two friends.The fan captioned the post: “Just saw this.
It’s Chelsea playing Jungle Run back in 2005,” along with a laughing face emoji.Soap characters who've been recastSoap 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 StreetTracy 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.EastEndersMartin 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.Fans were stunned and took to the comments section to share their disbelief.
One wrote: “Is that not zaraah Abraham’s from Eastenders who plays Denise daughter Chelsea???”A second added: “Yep!!! The voice is literally her.”EastEnders continues on BBC One and iPlayer.BBCZaraah Abrahams is the second actress to play Chelsea[/caption].
