Where are Corrie’s past Peter Barlows? From fashion editor to Bill Roache’s real-life son

Coronation Street viewers have seen several different incarnations of Peter Barlow over the years.

And the current actor who plays him, Chris Gascoygne, has been a firm fixture for over two decades. However, Peter is set to bid a heartbreaking farewell to the Cobbles in sad scenes that will air over the festive period.

Chris will depart the soap after 23 years in Weatherfield, and viewers will see Peter bid an emotional farewell to his nearest and dearest. But ahead of his exit, we look back at the other actors to have graced the role prior to Chris, and what they’re doing now.

Robert Heanue (1965–1970)

Robert Heanue was the first actor to play Peter Barlow, and was born the same year as his on-screen counterpart.

Peter was introduced as the son of Valerie Barlow (Anne Reid) and Ken Barlow (William Roache). He also had a twin sister Susan, who has been played by various actresses throughout the years – but last seen on-screen in 2001.

Robert spent five years on-screen before exiting, but has not continued acting.

Chris Dormer (1970–1971) and Mark Duncan (1971)

Robert was then replaced by actor Chris, who spent a year on the soap.

However, he was written out at the age of seven when Chris’ family emigrated to Canada. While Robert hasn’t ended up with a career in acting, he has fond memories of his time in Weathfield.

He previously told The Mirror: "I really enjoyed the Street. I remember Pat Phoenix and Julie Goodyear kissing and tickling me because they thought I was cute."

Mark then took over the role, but only for one episode, which saw Peter and his sister Susan leave Weathefield to live with their grandmother.

Linus Roache (1973–1975)

Linus was the fourth actor to play Peter, and has quite the connection to William Roache, who plays the character’s on-screen father.

Actor Linus, now 59, is one of William’s real life children, and first appeared in Weatherfield at the age of nine. He actually returned to the soap in 2010, this time appearing as Ken's long-lost son, Lawrence Cunningham.

His brother James also joined the show, playing his on-screen son, James Cunningham.

Since his Corrie days, Linus has landed Hollywood roles in the likes of Homeland, Vikings, Law and Order and hit film My Policeman, which starred Harry Styles.

William previously spoke about how proud he is of his son’s acting career, telling The Sun : "When I'm in New York, no one bothers about me, it's all about Linus.

"James is just getting started but will no doubt be just the same.”

Joseph McKenner (1977–1978)

Joseph portrayed Peter between 1977 and 1978 but only appeared in a handful of episodes in this time.

The actor went on to feature in TV series The Camerons, as well as 1986 film Absolute Beginners alongside David Bowie and Patsy Kensit.

However, he has since quit acting, and later became a fashion editor and stylist. He worked as the fashion director at large at The New York Times' T magazine and worked on some iconic Calvin Klein and CK campaigns.

David Lonsdale (1986)

The final actor to play Peter before Chris joined the soap in 2000, David only had a short stint on the Cobbles.

He briefly brought Peter back to Weatherfield in 1986, but after this, the character wasn’t seen again for 14 years. David continued acting after Corrie, and returned to the soap twice in different roles.

He first returned in 2011 in a minor role working for a solicitor and again in May 2012, this time playing Edwin Soames. Elsewhere, he’s also featured in the likes of Vera, The Bay, Inspector Morse, Casualty and Emmerdale.

His most notable role on-screen is as David Stockwell in the ITV period police drama series Heartbeat. He’s also appeared in a couple of films, with a minor role as a repo man in The Full Monty back in 1997, and as a Desk Sergeant in Downton Abbey in 2019.

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