<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (August 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> This is a list of longest - serving soap opera actors from radio and television soap operas, sorted by country . The list details actors with ten or more years spent on one soap opera, despite itinerant breaks in some cases with the actor / actress portraying multiple roles . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Country </Th> <Th> Rank </Th> <Th> Actor </Th> <Th> Character </Th> <Th> Soap Opera </Th> <Th> Years </Th> <Th> Duration </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Lesley Saweard </Td> <Td> Christine Barford </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1953--</Td> <Td> 65 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Patricia Greene </Td> <Td> Jill Archer </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1957--</Td> <Td> 61 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> June Spencer </Td> <Td> Peggy Woolley </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1950--1953, 1962--</Td> <Td> 59 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> William Roache </Td> <Td> Ken Barlow </Td> <Td> Coronation Street </Td> <Td> 1960--2013, 2014--</Td> <Td> 57 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> Angela Piper </Td> <Td> Jennifer Aldridge </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1963--</Td> <Td> 55 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Judy Bennett </Td> <Td> Shula Hebden - Lloyd </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1971--</Td> <Td> 47 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> Barbara Knox </Td> <Td> Rita Tanner </Td> <Td> Coronation Street </Td> <Td> 1964, 1972--2009, 2010--</Td> <Td> 45 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> Brian Hewlett </Td> <Td> Neil Carter </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1973--</Td> <Td> 45 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> Patricia Gallimore </Td> <Td> Pat Archer </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1974--</Td> <Td> 44 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> Suzanne Rogers </Td> <Td> Maggie Horton </Td> <Td> Days of Our Lives </Td> <Td> 1973--1984, 1985--2003, 2004--</Td> <Td> 43 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> Helen Worth </Td> <Td> Gail Rodwell </Td> <Td> Coronation Street </Td> <Td> 1974, 1975--</Td> <Td> 43 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> Charles Collingwood </Td> <Td> Brian Aldridge </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1975--</Td> <Td> 43 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> Susan Seaforth Hayes </Td> <Td> Julie Olson Williams </Td> <Td> Days of Our Lives </Td> <Td> 1968--1984, 1990--1996, 1999--</Td> <Td> 41 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> Leslie Charleson </Td> <Td> Monica Quartermaine </Td> <Td> General Hospital </Td> <Td> 1977--</Td> <Td> 41 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 15 </Td> <Td> Doug Davidson </Td> <Td> Paul Williams </Td> <Td> The Young and the Restless </Td> <Td> 1978--</Td> <Td> 40 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 16 </Td> <Td> Melody Thomas Scott </Td> <Td> Nikki Newman </Td> <Td> The Young and the Restless </Td> <Td> 1979--</Td> <Td> 39 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> UK </Td> <Td> 17 </Td> <Td> Trevor Harrison </Td> <Td> Eddie Grundy </Td> <Td> The Archers </Td> <Td> 1979--</Td> <Td> 39 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 18 </Td> <Td> Jacklyn Zeman </Td> <Td> Bobbie Spencer </Td> <Td> General Hospital </Td> <Td> 1977--2010, 2013--</Td> <Td> 38 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 19 </Td> <Td> Eric Braeden </Td> <Td> Victor Newman </Td> <Td> The Young and the Restless </Td> <Td> 1980--</Td> <Td> 38 years </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USA </Td> <Td> 20 </Td> <Td> Bill Hayes </Td> <Td> Doug Williams </Td> <Td> Days of Our Lives </Td> <Td> 1970--1984, 1986--1987, 1993--1996, 1999--</Td> <Td> 37 years </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Country </Th> <Th> Rank </Th> <Th> Actor </Th> <Th> Character </Th> <Th> Soap Opera </Th> <Th> Years </Th> <Th> Duration </Th> </Tr>

Who has been on a soap opera the longest