OMG SHOCKING!!! Coronation Street legend reunites with co-star and you’ll barely recognise him

There’s been a double blast from Coronation Street’s past this weekend!

It’s been 16 years since Steven Arnold’s alter-ego, Ashley Peacock lost his life in the apocalyptic tram crash of 2010.

Alex Bain’s character, Simon Barlow bowed out in far less tragic circumstances, though, when he ditched the cobbles for a job on a yacht with his dad, Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne), in 2024.

Both had amassed huge tenures on the show, with Steven racking up fifteen years as butcher Ashley, while Alex played his role as troubled Simon for sixteen years before heading off for pastures new.

The two took to TikTok, creating a video to promote a fundraising campaign aimed at the facilitation of a church refurbishment in Rotherham.

‘Hello everyone, it’s Alex Bain here, formerly known as Simon Barlow on Coronation Street,’ Alex started the video, before handing over to Steven.

‘I’m Stephen Arnold, best known for playing Aston Peacock on Coronation Street,’ Steven started.

‘We’re just giving a massive shout out to a really, really good mate of mine, Scott Brunt. He’s [worked with] numerous charities all over Rotherham, and his latest project is doing a refurbishment at St Mary’s Church in Greasbrough.

‘Please get your hand in your pocket and support him. He’s doing fantastic work for the area, and it means so much to the community to get this church back where it belongs. All the best, guys. Cheers!’ Steven finished.

‘All the best, guys, I hope it goes really, really well. Get out there, get donating, get supporting,’ Alex followed on.

‘Make sure you support him, you cheeky little monkeys!’ Steven finished with a big smile.

Various other celebrities have supported the effort, with Johnny Nelson, Kash Ali and Peter Fury also recording videos encouraging people to support Scott Brunt in his efforts to refurbish the church.

Ashley, a perennial ‘nice guy’, worked alongside his ‘uncle’ and undisputed soap royalty, Fred ‘I say’ Elliott (John Savident) as a butcher, before he discovered that Fred was, in fact, his dad.

He went on to marry Maxine Heavey (Tracy Shaw), with the two having a son, Joshua, though doubts about his paternity remained with Maxine having had an affair with Matt Ramsden (Stephen Beckett). Ashley raised him as his own, despite a blood test eventually confirming that Matt was indeed the biological father.

Maxine, who definitely should’ve stayed at the party, became the final victim of Richard Hillman (Brian Capron). He bashed her to death with a crowbar, leaving poor Ashley bereft.

Ashley eventually found love again with nanny, Claire Casey (Julia Haworth). They married and had a child, Freddie.

Financial issues plagued the couple, forcing a house swap with the Webster clan, and Claire struggled deeply with post-partum depression, leading Ashley to cheat with Casey Carswell (Zoe Henry), who kidnapped Freddie.

Ashley’s death came as the family planned to move to France. While trapped amid the wreckage of the tram crash, Ashley left Claire a final voicemail, reaffirming his love for her.

Simon had a tumultuous time in Weatherfield as the son of alcoholic Peter after the death of his mum, Lucy Barlow (Katy Carmichael).

After the death of Kal Nazir (Jimi Mistry), Simon began abusing his step-mum, Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) in an incredibly dark storyline.

He later got involved in a criminal gang, committing burglaries and muggings, though he eventually testified against the other members.

He later returned to crime, becoming a drug dealer alongside Jacob Hay (Jack James Ryan), before turning to alcohol, mirroring his alcoholic dad.

A CORONATION Street legend has been branded ‘unrecognisable’ by fans.

An iconic former resident of the cobbles has appeared in TikTok video with a fellow former star of the soap, with the pair banding together for a pressing reason.

Steven Arnold, who played Ashley Peacock in the soap from 1995 until 2010, has appeared alongside Alex Bain.

Alex played the role of Simon Barlow from 2008 until 2024.

The two men sat beside one another in a video promoting fundraising for a refurbishment of a church in Rotherham.

Fans flocked to the comments in disbelief over the two men starring in a video together.

Many even thought Steven looked unrecognisable.

Reacting to the video, one person penned: “Wow he’s changed so much our Ashley”

“Didn’t realise its ashley from corrie lol,” said another.

“I didn’t realise that was Ashley,” wrote a third.

While a fourth said: “Omg I thought it was your dad until you said it’s Ashley. I loved Ashley in Corrie.”

And a fifth penned: “remember you both when Corrie was worth watching xx miss you both.”

The video that Steven and Alex appeared in was to raise awareness for Spartan Site Solutions and KCM Waste Management who are fundraising for St Mary’s Church in Greasbrough.

The church has fallen into disrepair and needs some work doing. The GoFundMe link to donate is here.

KCM Waste Management are doing a charity football match against South Yorkshire police to raise money for the same thing, as well as help 4 homeless veterans.

Tickets can be bought online here.

Steven’s character of Ashley was a victim of the tram crash and died as part of the show’s 50th-anniversary episode in December 2010.

Meanwhile, Simon left the cobbles in a taxi to join his dad, Peter Barlow, in Spain.