We get so used to seeing our favourite stars play their on-screen soap characters that we don't stop to think about what they actually look like when they're not in acting mode.
But unsurprisingly, many have completely different beauty looks to their alter egos, and there are a few you'd even be hard-pushed to recognise in real life.
From a young Michelle Keegan looking remarkably different to the iconic Tina McIntyre, and Catherine Tyldesley's real hair and beauty style away from her character Eva Price, these are the top soap stars of past and present with surprisingly different looks in real life.
Michelle Keegan
© ITV/ GettyMichelle as Tina in Eastenders in 2011, and red-carpet ready in 2011
It feels like ages since we watched Michelle play Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street, but she was a main cast member for a whopping 861 episodes, until she left to pursue other ventures in 2014.
Tina became known for her large hoop earrings, 90s-esque eyebrows, and voluminous top knots. But in reality, Michelle was, and still is, the picture of glamour. Instead of updos she mostly wore her long brunette lengths in blow-dried waves, and her make-up was much less severe off-screen.
Jacqueline Jossa
© BBC, GettyJac as Lauren Branning in 2010, and at an event in 2011
Jac Jossa played Lauren Branning in EastEnders right up until 2018 - the year before she became queen of the I'm A Celeb jungle.
Jac has spoken recently about how one particular haircut Lauren had has affected her self esteem, even to this day. With a blunt fringe and a slight red tone, this EastEnders look is a far cry from the hairstyles she chooses for herself today - and even the one she chose off-screen back in her soap days.
Catherine Tyldesley
© ITV / GettyCatherine as Eva in 2017, and at an event also in 2017
Catherine is best known for playing Eva Price on Coronation Street from 2011-2018, but she couldn't have looked more different from her character in real life.
Eva had highlighted blonde hair, drawn-on brows, and often favoured a strong smoky eye. Catherine in real life, however, preferred a more natural brunette hair colour, and a much fresher beauty look.
Lucy Fallon
© ITV / InstagramLucy as Bethany in 2020, and a selfie from her Instagram in 2020
Lucy Fallon appeared at Bethany Platt on Coronation Street, right up until last year. During her five-year stint on the cobbles, Beth had a pretty singular beauty look, which featured bleach-blonde hair and a very subtle make-up look.
In real life, Lucy experimented a lot more with her hair colour - and still does now. She often played around with pink and peachy hair tints, and her red carpet make-up looks were very edgy in comparison to her character's style.
Milly Zero
© BBC / InstagramMilly on Eastenders this year, and also pictured recently in an Instagram selfie
The Albert Square actress has played Dotty Cotton since 2019, but prefers a much more glamorous make-up look when she's not filming.
On EastEnders, Dotty has a very laid-back look, but Milly's own Instagram shows she often dabbles with more out-there make-up styles. She also amazed fans just the other week when she used a filter to go from brunette to pink hair, and ended up looking like a completely different person!