Mercedes Christie (Hannah Spearritt)

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Hannah Spearritt has landed a major acting role in Casualty.

The S Club 7 star has confirmed that she'll be joining the BBC One soap in the new year as mysterious new character Mercedes Christie.

"I'm so happy to say i've joined the BBC Casualty as Mercedes Christie...very excited! @BBCCasualty," she tweeted today (December 18).

The actress is expected to make her official debut in Casualty on Saturday, January 23, according to What's On TV.

While Spearritt is perhaps best known for S Club, she also starred for four years on the science fiction drama Primeval.

She has also made guest appearances in Death in Paradise and Agatha Christie's Marple over the years.

The 34-year-old took part in S Club 7's highly-publicised 'Bring It All Back' tour of the UK earlier in the year.

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Hannah Spearritt has discussed her role on Casualty, admitting that it was a learning curve for her as an actress.

The S Club 7 singer is currently starring in the medical drama as Mercedes Christie - a drug addict who has caused a world of trouble for regular character Big Mac.

Speaking on Loose Women today (March 18), Spearritt opened up about watching herself on TV, saying: "I used to dislike it but I don't mind it so much now.

"It's a learning curve as well because you learn what works and what doesn't."

Talking about her character, she said: "She is a troublemaker, a manipulator, a drug addict - it's very exciting to play. She is violent.

"I ended up beating up the nicest guy on Casualty and she's got one over on Big Mac.

"The only thing that I can say in a positive way for her is that she has got a kid and that is her motivation to get this money."

Mercedes will reappear in this week's episode of Casualty on Saturday, March 19.