It is the cause of much excitement when an actor who plays a beloved, or villainous, soap character is replaced, with loyal audiences adjusting to a new face and voice.
Over the years, Coronation Street fans have seen many characters return to the cobbles looking completely different, such as Summer Spellman, Daniel Osbourne and looking further back, Tracey and Peter Barlow.
In fact, some characters have had multiple faces over the years, with Peter Barlow being portrayed by an astounding seven actors. Some actors quit, leaving bosses to replace them, and other times producers may want a character to appear older.
Here are some of the most well known Corrie characters who have been played by different actors over the years.
Summer Spellman
As Manchester Evening News reports, Summer was first played by Matilda Freeman from 2017 until 2020, but decided to leave the soap, as it was time for the "next chapter."
Summer arrived on the cobbles as the adopted daughter of Drew Spellman, a former flame of Billy Mayhew. In 2017 Drew died, and Billy and his partner Todd became 12-year-old Summer's guardians.
Harriet Bibby took over the role from Matilda. She has previously appeared in Sky One comedy Brassic and the daytime drama Doctors.
Todd Grimshaw
Todd Grimshaw has been played by two actors, from his first appearance in Weatherfield in 2001, when he was portrayed by Bruno Langley.
In 2017, Todd fled with Summer Spellman, over fears her grandma would take her away from him and partner Billy Mayhew. After police tracked them down, Todd assaulted an officer and then disappeared.
Three years later he returned, but with a different face, as Gareth Pierce took on the part.
On his new role, the actor said: "I'm thrilled to be joining such an iconic show, and to have been entrusted with taking Todd forward into some really exciting storylines."
Daniel Osbourne
Impressively, Daniel, the son of Ken Barlow and Denise Osbourne, has been played by three actors. Born in the soap in 1995, as a baby he was played by Lewis Harney until 1997.
Then in 2007, he returned for a short stint, played by Dominic Holmes. Just under ten years later, Daniel returned, played by Rob Mallard.
He went on to be involved in some huge storylines, such as pushing Dad Ken down the stairs and marrying Sinead, before her death from cancer.
Tracy Barlow
Tracy can beat Daniel, with four actors playing the troublesome character. The daughter of Ray Langton and Deirdre Barlow, she was born on-screen in 1977, and played by Christabel Finch until 1983. Holly Chamarette played Tracey for three years from 1985, with Dawn Acton portraying her for just over ten years.
Kate Ford has played the villainous role since 2002, tackling many plotlines, such as killing Charlie Stubbs and drugging Roy Cropper and faking the pair had slept together.
Sarah Platt
Sarah Platt has been portrayed by three actors, although fans would never fan know. The TV favourite was born prematurely in 1987, to Gail Platt and Brian Tilsley, and was portrayed as a baby by twins Leah and Lynsay King.
Lynsay stayed on until 1999, when Sarah turned 12 on-screen, with Tina O'Brien, then 16 replacing her. Tina has played Sarah ever since and has faced her fair share of heartache and devastation, from losing her son Billy shortly after his birth, to being kidnapped with her family by stepfather Richard.
Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow could nearly rival Doctor Who for his number of reincarnations, with seven actors playing him.
The son of Ken Barlow, Peter was introduced more than 50 years ago and has had his fair share of tragedy and drama, from bigamy, disastrous love affairs, alcoholism and being framed for murder.
Born on-screen in 1965, as a tot Peter was played by Robert Heanue until 1970, with Christopher Dormer taking on the role for just a year. For two years, Mark Duncan played Peter, before he was replaced by Linus Roache, who appeared on the soap from 1973 until 1975.
After Peter returned to Weatherfield in 1977, he was played by Joseph McKenna for a year, while David Lonsdale picked up the mantle in 1986.
After all that chopping and changing, since 2000 Chris Gascoyne has played Peter, appearing on and off for over 15 years. Since 2016, Chris has remained on the soap.
