Coronation St star Ryan's brother joins Emmerdale

The brother of Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas is set to join Emmerdale next month.

Adam Thomas (pictured top), 21, joins the long-running rural soap as newcomer Adam Barton after making appearances in Doctors, Casualty and Waterloo Road.

His Emmerdale screen dad will be played by former Holby Blue star James Thornton (aka PC Jake Loughton).

"John is a successful, ambitious farmer trying to run a business and keep his family on-track," explains Bradford-born James. "He'll stand up for what he believes in and that will make him an interesting character for me to get my teeth stuck into. I can't wait to get started and to be back up to Yorkshire."

Natalie J Robb, who was PC Andrea Dunbar in The Bill, will play mum Moira. She will have her hands full working in the Woolpack and raising her three kids.

Sophie Powles, last seen as Ronnie in Britannia High, will play John and Moira's eldest daughter Holly. Their youngest daughter, Hannah, will be played by Grange Hill veteran Grace Cassidy.