Ex-Coronation Street star Paula Lane has joined the cast of Emmerdale playing a "compassionate and caring" new character called Ella Forster.
The actress appeared as Kylie Platt - wife of David (Jack P Shepherd) - on the soap from 2010 until 2016, when the character was killed off in a stabbing storyline.
Ella arrives in the village after losing her job as a result of sticking up for Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley), who's attending a Veterinary Ball with her partner Paddy (Dominic Brunt).
After a chance encounter with Manpreet (Rebecca Sarker), Ella finds a new opportunity coming her way and is soon "turning heads in the village".
"I'm so excited to be joining the cast of Emmerdale," said Lane. "Everyone has been so welcoming and I can't wait to start a new chapter playing the role of Ella.
"I've already heard there are big plans for her and I can't wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make some friends!"
Producer Kate Brooks added: "Ella is a complex and multi-layered character who comes to the village and certainly makes an impact. Ostensibly she's a good, moral character, but is there more to her than meets the eye?
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome an actor of Paula's calibre to the show and we can't wait to have her light up our screens."
Lane starts filming this month and will be seen on screen in January.
Neil Wilkes
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