Soapstars is a British reality television show that aired on ITV from 3 September 2001 to 7 November 2001.
[1][2] The series featured thousands of contestants auditioning to be cast as part of a new family—consisting of a mother, father and three teenage children—in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
[2][3] The judging panel consisted of drama producer Yvon Grace, casting director Paul de Freitas, and Emmerdale scriptwriter Bill Lyons.
[5] British actor's trade union Equity released a statement critical of the series, stating it was "an insulting affront to the men and women in our profession who endure low rates of pay, rejection and humiliation in the course of their work, despite their training, experience, dedication and talent.
They initially won three month contracts to appear as the Calder family in Emmerdale, beginning in November 2001.