Paula: I'm Potty about joining Emmerdale

Paula Wilcox and Duncan Preston are set to join the cast of Emmerdale.

The pair, who arrive in The Dales in April, will play Laurel's parents, Douglas and Hilary Potts.

And, in true Emmerdale fashion, Laurel's dreams of familial bliss are threatened when disaster strikes.

Paula, who starred in the 1970s sitcom Man About The House, is thrilled about landing her role.

She said: "I am over the moon to be joining one of my favourite soaps and I am delighted to be playing such a fantastic character."

Duncan, meanwhile, is following in the footsteps of his off-screen partner Susan Penhaligon, who starred as Jean Hope in the Yorkshire-based soap until November 2006.

"Being a Yorkshireman myself, I've always hoped Emmerdale would come calling," confessed the actor, who played Stan in Dinnerladies. "I'm a big fan of the show and it's nice to be going back to my roots."