PAULA LANE JOINS THE CAST OF ITV's EMMERDALE

Acclaimed actress Paula Lane has joined the cast of ITV’s Emmerdale and is due to make her debut on screen in January.

Paula’s character is compassionate and caring Ella Forster. Ella soon finds herself out of a job when she sticks up for Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) who’s attending a Veterinary Ball with her partner Paddy.

Far from a pushover, luck is soon to come Ella’s way when a chance encounter with Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) opens up an opportunity. And it’s not long before Ella is turning heads in the village.

Paula has a wealth of television and theatre credits to her name and is best known for her role as Kylie Platt in Coronation Street.

Reflecting on her new role, Paula Lane said: "I'm so excited to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Everyone has been so welcoming and I can't wait to start a new chapter playing the role of Ella. I've already heard there are big plans for her and I can't wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make some friends!”

Producer Kate Brooks said: “Ella is a complex and multi-layered character who comes to the village and certainly makes an impact. Ostensibly she's a good, moral character, but is there more to her than meets the eye? We are absolutely thrilled to welcome an actor of Paula's calibre to the show and we can't wait to have her light up our screens.”

Paula begins filming this month.