Ken you believe who is soaps’ biggest lover?

24 are bedded by Barlow

EXCLUSIVE

CORRIE Casanova Ken Barlow is officially top of the bed-hops… but his soap rivals are closing in on him.

Ken, played by Bill Roache, 89, has bedded 24 women – including Rula Lenska’s character Claudia – over a 61-year stretch.

But EastEnders’ Max Branning, played by Jake Wood, 52, has had 21 lovers since 2006 – including Stacey, his son’s girlfriend.

Two Hollyoaks maneaters are on 21 – Mercedes McQueen, played by Jennifer Metcalfe, 37, and Cindy Cunningham, played by Stephanie Waring, 43.

Researchers ploughed through thousands of episodes to produce the findings.

There have been a total of 589 on-screen affairs in Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders and Hollyoaks history.

Corrie has had the most flings with 235 characters cheating.

The analysis by BestBingoSites found 17 characters had 10 or more sexual partners.

Spokeswoman Sue Dawson said: “Who would have thought stick-in-the-mud Ken Barlow had bedded more partners than any other character in soap history? That said, he has always been a bit of a ladies’ man and let’s face it, he has had plenty of time.

“He’d better watch out, though – Max, Mercedes and Cindy are hot on his heels.”

EastEnders’ Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty, 29, has had 18 lovers, while Corrie’s Maria Connor, played by Samia Longchambon, 38, has had 16.

Two more characters have had 15 each – Enders’ Stacey Slater,

played by Lacey Turner, 33, and Hollyoaks’ Warren Fox, alias actor Jamie Lomas, 46.

Walford’s Janine Butcher, played by Charlie Brooks, 40, is on 14, while three Mitchells are on 13 – Sam, played by Danniella Westbrook, 47, Phil – actor Steve McFadden, 62 – and Roxy, alias actress Rita Simons, 44.

scoops@sundaymirror.co.uk