Gaynor Faye to join Emmerdale

Former Fat Friends star Gaynor Faye has signed up to join Emmerdale.

The ex-Dancing On Ice champion will play glamorous newcomer Megan Macey, who 'turns the heads' of the men in the village.

Faye, 40, who will be seen on screen from early next year, and previously starred in Coronation Street.

Her character, described as 'fiercely ambitious, intimidating ... and oozing self-confidence', arrives after she receives a call from her estranged half-brother Declan, played by Jason Merrells.

The actress, who also starred in The Chase, said: "I'm incredibly excited to be joining Emmerdale and being a Yorkshire lass myself, filming in Leeds, my home town, is the icing on the cake!

"The women on Emmerdale are strong and feisty, and I can't wait to play my character, who's fun but extremely driven and will stop at nothing to get her own way.

"She's quite different to many of the roles that I have played before and hopefully will take people by surprise."

Emmerdale series producer Stuart Blackburn said: "I'm thrilled to welcome Gaynor to the show.

"This is an exciting new character for us and a new era at Home Farm. Megan will quickly remind Declan she has a shrewd ability to get what she wants, when she wants it."

Gaynor played Judy Mallett on Coronation Street from 1995 to 1999.