Coronation Street fans have only just realised Theo Silverton star James Cartwright’s past role on Tracy Beaker.

Soap watchers will recall that Theo joined the cobbles earlier this year, starting up an affair with Todd Grimshaw. However, Todd was soon left stunned to discover that Theo has a wife, Danielle, and two children.

In true soap style, recent episodes saw Danielle walk in to find Theo and Todd kissing, exposing their affair.

After being caught in the act, a drunken Theo told Todd that things were over between them, before joining Danielle outside with the duo seemingly giving their marriage another chance.

In episodes next week, Todd gets a call that Theo has gone missing before the drunken scaffolder gets into a fight with Mick.

Later in the week, Todd hears the car alarm on the hearse and goes to investigate, finding it covered in paint. Todd is shocked to discover it was Theo’s daughter Millie who vandalised the hearse.

As she rails at him for ripping her family apart, Theo leaps to Millie’s defence, leaving Todd further stunned and heartbroken.

With Theo taking centre stage, soap watchers have only just discovered that he played a huge character on Tracy Beaker, playing the role of Nathan for 40 episodes between 2003 to 2004.

Taking to social media, one person said: “Not sure if something like this has already been posted here, but I was stunned to find out that James Cartwright, who plays Todd’s latest love interest, Theo, played the character of Nathan in Tracy Beaker from 2003-2004!”

They added: “Who else remembers him from this? I couldn’t believe my eyes!”

To which a different account replied: “I was shocked when I found out it was him going into Corrie but I loved him in Tracy beaker and I like him in Corrie so far” while another put: “Recognised his face just couldn’t place where. Loved Tracey beaker growing up.”

Elsewhere, a different soap watcher added: “OMG no frigging way I grew up watching Tracy Beaker but had no idea, he looks totally different!!! Loved the character Nathan, he was hilarious especially letting Tracy and the other kids run rings round him.”

As well as Tracy Beaker, James, 40, has appeared in the likes of Downton Abbey as Tony Sellick and The Archers as Harrison Burns.