Linda Lusardi joins as Carrie Nicholls

[Em]

Actress Linda Lusardi is to join Emmerdale in the New Year as part of a "shocking" storyline which will keep villagers gossiping for months.

The 48-year-old former Page 3 model will play the part of Carrie Nicholls - mother of Tom King's (Ken Farrington) secret teenage daughter, Scarlet. Carrie turns up in the Dales to attend Tom's funeral after he plummeted to his death on Christmas Day.

As Jimmy (Nick Miles), Matthew (Matt Healy) and Carl (Tom Lister) reel from the news that they have a sister they knew nothing about, Carrie makes clear that she is determined to ensure her daughter gets what she’s entitled to from the King empire.

Of her new role, Linda said: "I’m thrilled to be joining such a popular show and can’t wait to start filming in January. I’m really excited about the character as it sounds like she’s going to be brilliant fun to play!"

Series producer Kathleen Beedles added: "We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Linda to the cast. Carrie is an intelligent, strong-willed woman and will be determined to stand up to the King family at whatever cost."

Linda - who is currently appearing in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth - will first appear on-screen in February.

[Chris_2k11]

Is she the one who's married to the guy who played the hairdresser in Brookie?? Am I right?

[Jojo]

Is she the one who's married to the guy who played the hairdresser in Brookie?? Am I right?

Thats the one Chris. Sometimes they reminded me of Anita Dobson and Brian May - similar haircuts as their partners lol (or at least they did a while back)

Shes married to Sam Kane (which is the hairdresser you were thinking of) and she also made an appearance in Brookie too.

[Chris_2k11]

Thats the one Chris. Sometimes they reminded me of Anita Dobson and Brian May - similar haircuts as their partners lol (or at least they did a while back)

Shes married to Sam Kane (which is the hairdresser you were thinking of) and she also made an appearance in Brookie too.

Oooh you're right.. I think Lindsey caught Peter in a hotel with her. Can't remember much of her acting though?

[Jojo]

Oooh you're right.. I think Lindsey caught Peter in a hotel with her. Can't remember much of her acting though?

From what I remember, it was pretty uninspiring and wooden really lol - that could be why you didn't remember it, although she was a bit better in The Bill when she appeared in that (Don Beech's girlfriend)

[Chris_2k11]

From what I remember, it was pretty uninspiring and wooden really lol

lol oh dear, alan won't be pleased. Just got rid of one plank and now we have another on there way

[Babe14]

Linda was also in the Bill, during the Don beach storyline, I thought she was really good and am looking forward to her joining Emmerdale with her daughter

[Jojo]

...... although she was a bit better in The Bill when she appeared in that (Don Beech's girlfriend)

My sentiments for her performance in The Bill too Babe

[Chloe O'brien]

Wonder how long it will take Matthew to get his filthy paws on her. He's been very quiet lately.

[alan45]

lol oh dear, alan won't be pleased. Just got rid of one plank and now we have another on there way

I actually quite enjoyed her in the Bill. There again there were worse actors * cough * Todd Crappy * cough* in the Bill at the time so she probably looked good. I read in one of the tabloids that she was to replace Patsy Kensit as the new Bitch in the Dales. That would not be a hard act to follow. However the Bitch is being well played by Rosemary at the minute. Cant wait to see her face at Christmas after she loses out on home Farm following the demise of Tom King