TV Times 9 best soap guest stars
By Robert Hiley published

Corrie legend Liz Dawn is making a cameo appearance in Emmerdale's Christmas Day episode, so to celebrate here's 9 more of TV Times favourite star guest roles in the soaps.
What do you think? Have we missed any biggies? Let us know below in our comments section.
1 Cilla Black, Coronation Street 2013
"I was a bit of a singer at one time," Late great telly queen Cilla told Rita, in a scene for the special The One And Only Cilla Black. "I’ve always preferred Lulu," said Norris. Fellow Sixties popster Cliff Richard also popped into The Rovers for swift half as a bearded extra in 1997.
2 David Walliams, EastEnders 2003
The BGT star played Alfie's strange mate Ray who pretended to be a registrar at Kat and Alfie's wedding. David and Little Britain co-star Matt Lucas also made a surprise 2007 appearance in Neighbours as alter-egos Andy and Lou.
3 Nick Grimshaw, Hollyoaks 2013
X Factor's Grimmy was as an official for the naming ceremony of Diane and Tony's twins, telling them their precious pair looked "like Ant and Dec". The Radio 1 DJ also "soap-bombed" EastEnders and Home and Away that year.
4 Andre Rieu, Neighbours 2009
The classical megastar was on the fiddle as Paul tried to win back Rebecca with an impromptu serenade. Fans later voted it Neighbours' "weirdest ever storyline".
5 Ed Sheeran, Home and Away 2015
Pop colossus Ed played Londoner Teddy who as a boy was looked after by Marilyn when she worked as a nanny in England. Strange in every way.
6 Michael Palin, Home and Away 1996
Python Michael combined his love of travel and the surreal when he stopped by Summer Bay for a quick surf. (Apologies for the dodgy screen grab – it's all there is to prove it happened!)
7 Peter Kay, Coronation Street 2004
The super-popular Bolton comic always delivers, but he had a tough time as Sally's would-be suitor, drayman Eric Gartside...
8 Bob Monkhouse, Crossroads 1966
In what's possibly soap's first star cameo, stand-up legend and Crossroads fan Bob played himself as a guest at TV's top motel. Fellow funnymen Larry Grayson and Ken Dodd also graced the much-missed classic Midlands soap.
9 Sir Ian McKellen, Coronation Street 2005
Quite possibly the greatest soap cameo of all-time was the esteemed Sir Ian McKellen's three-week stay on the Street as dodgy novelist Mel Hutchwright. And there's rumours Mel might make a comeback…
What do you think? Have we missed any biggies? Let us know below in our comments section.
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