10 Children’s Ward stars from Coronation Street and where they are now

There was a time when kids would rush home from school just to catch Children’s Ward from the creators of Coronation Street on TV. It first aired in 1989 and quickly became one of the most talked-about shows on CITV. It wasn’t just a typical after-school drama.

The show stood out because it faced real issues head-on. It dealt with topics like cancer, bullying, teen pregnancy, and addiction without softening the blow. For a generation of young viewers, it felt honest and relatable.

But there’s something else that makes Children’s Ward worth talking about today. It wasn’t just a popular show at the time. It quietly became the starting point for some of the biggest names in British television. Look at the cast list now and you’ll spot plenty of familiar faces. A surprising number of the actors who appeared in Children’s Ward went on to join the world of Coronation Street.

It’s strange to think a kids’ hospital drama could shape the future of one of Britain’s most famous soaps. Yet that’s exactly what happened. If you’ve watched the cobbles over the years, chances are you’ve seen plenty of former Ward B1 residents without even realizing it.

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Here’s a look at ten Children’s Ward stars from Coronation Street who made the leap

1) Will Mellor (Ben Rowlingson)

Will Mellor first showed up in Children’s Ward during the early nineties as Ben Rowlingson. He appeared in five episodes where his role gave him his first proper TV break. That short run eventually opened doors for him in bigger shows.

Today most people recognize him as Jambo from Hollyoaks or Gaz from Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. He joined Coronation Street in 2021 playing drug dealer Harvey Gaskell. Mellor has since kept busy with parts in dramas like Broadchurch and Line of Duty and also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022.

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2) Stephen Graham (Mickey Bell)

Stephen Graham made his first screen appearance in Children’s Ward as Mickey Bell across two episodes. Though short-lived it gave him an early start before bigger roles followed. He popped up in Coronation Street in 1999 playing Lee Sankey who was connected to Leanne Battersby’s drug plot.

Graham later built a strong career with standout roles in This Is England and Line of Duty. He also led films like Boiling Point and appeared in Boardwalk Empire. His performances now regularly receive praise across both British TV and Hollywood films.

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3) Jane Danson (Paula)

Jane Danson appeared regularly in Children’s Ward between 1995 and 1997. She played Paula who became one of the show’s memorable patients after ending up in a wheelchair from a leg disease. That role made her a familiar face before she landed her long-term part on Coronation Street.

Danson joined Corrie in 1997 as Leanne Battersby and quickly became central to its biggest plots. Over the years Leanne’s storylines have covered addiction custody battles and affairs. Danson remains one of the soap’s longest-running stars and continues to feature prominently on the show.

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4) Samia Longchambon (Charlotte)

Samia Longchambon took on a small role in Children’s Ward back in 1995 playing Charlotte. It marked one of her earliest acting jobs before bigger opportunities came along. By 2000 she became part of Coronation Street playing Maria Connor.

Over the years Maria has been at the centre of dramatic storylines from complicated romances to local politics. Samia has stayed with Corrie for over two decades. Outside the soap, she competed on Dancing on Ice in 2013 and won Cooking with the Stars in 2023 making her one of the show's most recognizable faces.

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5) Alan Halsall (Ollie)

Alan Halsall’s role as Ollie in Children’s Ward ran across five episodes between 1997 and 1998. His time on the show came just before he found his long-term home on Coronation Street. Halsall joined Corrie in 1998 as Tyrone Dobbs and has played him ever since.

Tyrone’s storylines have covered everything from foster care to abusive relationships and messy family breakups. Halsall remains one of the show’s longest-serving cast members. In 2024 he appeared on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here showing a different side of himself away from the soap.

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6) Tina O’Brien (Claire)

Tina O’Brien’s first TV role came in 1997 when she played Claire in Children’s Ward. Her storyline focused on a teenage patient facing life’s usual hospital challenges. That role set up her career which properly took off two years later when she joined Coronation Street as Sarah Platt.

Sarah became one of the soap’s most talked-about characters after falling pregnant at 13. Tina has stayed in the role ever since and continues to feature heavily. Outside Corrie she appeared in Waterloo Road and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.

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7) Chris Bisson (JJ)

Chris Bisson appeared in Children’s Ward starting in 1990 playing JJ across 13 episodes. His character fit right in with the series’ focus on young patients dealing with real-life problems. After his time there he moved to Coronation Street in 1999 where he played Vikram Desai until 2002.

Vikram was the smooth-talking shop worker whose shady dealings often caused trouble. Bisson then took roles in Shameless and Holby City. Since 2009 he has played Jai Sharma in Emmerdale where he continues to lead major storylines. His long soap career can be traced back to his start in Children’s Ward.

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8) William Ash (Darren Walsh)

William Ash appeared in Children’s Ward from 1989 to 1991 playing Darren Walsh over 22 episodes. Darren was one of the ward’s regular patients whose storylines highlighted teenage struggles.

Before that Ash briefly appeared in Coronation Street as Spike in 1987. He later went on to take strong roles in shows like Soldier Soldier, Clocking Off, and Shameless.

In 2022 he joined Emmerdale as Caleb Milligan and was quickly involved in the Tate family’s biggest storylines. Ash’s long TV career shows how Children’s Ward helped shape his path as one of Britain’s dependable screen actors.

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9) Ralf Little (Minor role)

Ralf Little appeared in Children’s Ward in a minor role early in his career. Though small it gave him an early screen credit before he moved on to bigger things. In 1998 he popped up briefly in Coronation Street as Jonny. Soon after he starred in The Royle Family playing Antony, making him a household name.

He followed that up with six series of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. Since 2020 he has led Death in Paradise as DI Neville Parker. Little remains one of the UK’s most recognizable TV faces.

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10) Danny Dyer (Tony)

Danny Dyer first appeared in Children’s Ward as Tony in 1989 returning for another episode in 1995. His role was short but it gave him an early start. While he never featured in Coronation Street he became one of Britain’s most familiar actors.

Dyer is best known for films like The Football Factory and Human Traffic. In 2013 he joined EastEnders as Mick Carter staying nearly a decade before leaving in 2022. He now focuses on film roles and reality TV appearances continuing his career outside the soap world where he built his name.

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