"Madge" to join Emmerdale

[Jojo]

Former Neighbours star Anne Charleston is to join the cast of ITV1 soap Emmerdale later this year.

The Australian actress, who spent 11 years on Ramsay Street as Madge Bishop, will play Lily, the estranged sister of Edna Birch, played by Shirley Stelfox.

Her character, in the Dales to attend her great niece's wedding, will appear in three episodes in November with the potential of a longer run to follow.

"I am over the moon to be joining one of my favourite soaps," she said.

The actress - who also appeared in Crossroads as well as 2002 sitcom Dossa and Joe - said she was "delighted to be playing such a fantastic character".

Series producer Kathleen Beedles said: "We are looking forward to welcoming Anne on set.

"Viewers can expect to see sparks fly when Edna and Lily are reunited."

Melbourne-born Charleston - who played Madge from 1986 to 1992 and from 1996 to 2001 - is currently based in Ireland.

Earlier this month, Emmerdale star Ursula Holden-Gill was voted best soap actress at the TV Quick and TV Choice Awards.

The show also picked up a prize for best soap storyline.

[Bryan]

superb additon to the cast, Emmerdale is going from STRENGTH to STRENGTH

let's hope she will be in it for an extended period after this 3 episode stint

[Jojo]

superb additon to the cast, Emmerdale is going from STRENGTH to STRENGTH

let's hope she will be in it for an extended period after this 3 episode stint

Phew - thought when you were the next poster I'd missed this being posted already (although I did check )

She hasn't been in anything since Crossroads has she, it will be great to see how her and "Edna" interact with each other seeing as when she was in Neighbours she portrayed a pretty good battleaxe (not that much different to Edna lol )

[Bryan]

Phew - thought when you were the next poster I'd missed this being posted already (although I did check )

She hasn't been in anything since Crossroads has she, it will be great to see how her and "Edna" interact with each other seeing as when she was in Neighbours she portrayed a pretty good battleaxe (not that much different to Edna lol )

well shes been in Devon Seas but other than that...

yeah she played Madge superbly, lets hope some of that stubborn old battleaxe comes out in her new character, about time Edna got some screen time that doesnt involve The Kings.

[Lennie]

Great addiction to the cast, liked her as Madge

[Katy]

Suberb, shes a great acteress, i cried when she died in Neighbours it was so sad.

Emmerdale is so good at the moment.

[Siobhan]

when i seen the subject line I thought it was Madonna joining

i

[Lennie]

Suberb, shes a great acteress, i cried when she died in Neighbours it was so sad.

Emmerdale is so good at the moment.

I did too, that was coz mainly Jonathon Dutton (Tad) and Ian Smith (Harold) made me cry as well

[Mr Humphries]

Can't wait for to be on screen, shame its only for 3 episodes though, but it will be fun !

[Perdita]

when i seen the subject line I thought it was Madonna joining

i

I thought it was the guinea pig from Eastenders