Former 'EastEnders' actress Jacqueline Leonard is joining the cast of 'Coronation Street'.
Jacqueline - who played barmaid Lorraine Wicks in the BBC soap from April 1996 until November 1997 - has been cast as Weatherfield newcomer Linda.
She will turn up unexpectedly to surprise her ex-husband Owen Armstrong, played by Ian Puleston-Davies, and their two children Katy and Izzy, played by Georgia May Foote and Cherylee Houston respectively.
Speaking about her new role, Jacqueline said: "I am incredibly honoured and excited to be joining the amazing cast of Coronation Street."
Jacqueline told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I love the Northern wit and humour along with the drama and tension that the wonderful scripts of 'Coronation Street' encapsulate."
This new development comes after Ian's announcement that he would be retiring his character Owen in the new year.
He said: "I have returned to my writing and in 2015 hope to put on a new play. But I'd never rule out returning to the role of Owen at some point."
The ITV soap's executive producer, Kieran Robert has also announced that the ITV soap is planning to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a live episode.
Speaking about the live special, which is scheduled to air in September 2015, Kieran said: "The cast, writers, and production team are exhilarated by the prospect of a live broadcast as the programme's 50th anniversary episode was received so brilliantly by the audience."

Jennifer Esposito has married Louis Dowler.
The 41-year-old actress, who was married to Bradley Cooper for five months until they filed for divorce in May 2007, tied the knot with the British model in New York City on Sunday (16.11.14), where they run a gluten-free bakery called Jennifer's Way.
According to a guest at the nuptials, who wrote about the wedding on his blog Gluten Dude, the couple's food on their big day all came from their own shop.
He wrote: "Great vibe. Great service. Phenomenal food. (sic)"
The 'Blue Bloods' actress announced she and Louis, 38, were engaged in May when she appeared on Katie Couric's talk show to promote her book, 'Jennifer's Way'.
Jennifer praised Louis for being "lovely" and Katie told the crowd: "Oh, P.S., announcement - Jennifer just got engaged," and a photograph of the couple appeared on the screen behind her.
Louis previously dated Kate Winslet but she left him for Richard Branson's nephew Ned Rocknroll, who she is now married to.
Speaking in 2011 about being dumped by the 39-year-old actress, Louis said: "I don't think Kate behaved well and it is still very raw for me.
"I was in love with her and you can't switch that off overnight. I'm not sure Kate treated me well.
"Kate came home with me to Cornwall and we just hung out together.
"She met my parents and family."
Jennifer got engaged to former Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis in 2009 but they later separated in August 2010.

Bono is to undergo "intensive therapy" after having three metal plates and 18 screws inserted into his elbow.
The U2 frontman underwent a five-hour operation on Sunday night (16.11.14) following a bicycle accident in New York's Central Park earlier that day, which left him with a fractured face, shoulder blade and left humerus bone which had "driven though his skin" and split into six pieces.
Orthopaedic trauma surgeon Dean Lorich told Rolling Stone in a statement: "He was taken emergently to the operating room for a five-hour surgery Sunday evening where the elbow was washed out and debrided, a nerve trapped in the break was moved and the bone was repaired with three metal plates and 18 screws.
"One day later, he had surgery to his left hand to repair a fracture of his fifth metacarpal."
The 54-year-old singer was rushed to the New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center's Emergency Department following the "high energy" incident, where he had "multiple X-rays and CAT scans".
Despite his multiple injuries, the surgeon is confident the star will make a "full recovery".
He added: "He will require intensive and progressive therapy, however a full recovery is expected."
U2 were forced to cancel their week-long residency on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' following the smash, and the Irish rockers took to their website to thank the host for his "understanding" in the circumstances.
A statement read: "It looks like we will have to do our 'Tonight Show' residency another time - we're one man down.
"Bono has injured his arm in a cycling spill in Central Park and requires some surgery to repair it.
"We're sure he'll make a full recovery soon, so we'll be back!
"Much thanks to Jimmy Fallon and everyone at the show for their understanding."
The accident came just a few days after the 'One' singer cheated death when a door fell off his private jet as he flew to Berlin, Germany.
A source said after the terrifying accident last Wednesday (12.11.14): "He was extremely lucky, the plane could have gone down."

Kim Kardashian has commissioned an "artistic" sculpture of her bottom as a present for Kanye West.
The 34-year-old reality star - who shocked the world after she posed nude in a photoshoot for Paper magazine last week - has reportedly paid £13,000 for a Silicon replica of her behind as a gift for her 37-year-old rapper husband.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "The replica was her idea for a gift, she thinks it's artistic and knew Kanye would love it.
"It means he'll always have a piece of her, albeit her bum, if Kim's away working."
Kim is currently in Australia with her 17-month-old daughter North West to promote her new fragrance Fleur Fatale, but she still took the time to defend her controversial decision to get naked for the publication on the Australian talk show 'The Project'. She said: "As a role model I'm not saying anyone else should do that, but for me it was an art project and it taught me to do what you want to do.
"I'm never one to preach, but I felt really positive and really good about myself. I love the photos, I did it for me. I hope other people like them."

Lady Gaga has splashed out £12,000 on a bowling trip.
The 28-year-old musician treated 110 friends and her beloved pet bulldog, Asia, to a game at Manchester's All Star Lanes for a premature end-of-tour party on Monday (17.11.14), ahead of the conclusion of her 'artRAVE' run of gigs in Paris next week (24.11.14).
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Gaga made sure everyone was thanked with a real chance to let their hair down.
"She has a few days off before her date in Sheffield, and a few have to leave early. So she chose this week for her big send off."
The 'G.U.Y.' singer hired out the whole venue for the party and reportedly downed red wine and whisky throughout the night, but opted against using the regulation bowling shoes and instead took aim in her stilettos.
A source told Metro newspaper: "Gaga was sipping red wine through a straw during the game which helped fuel her to a total of 69."
Following the game, the talented musician opted to show off her vocal ability by heading over to the karaoke box and belting out renditions of Spice Girls single 'Spice Up Your Life' and Scissor Sisters' 'I Don't Feel Like Dancin'.
Since the boozy bash, the 'Do What U Want' diva has been out and about in the northern city once again, this time getting a tattoo of her nickname "Mother Monster" scrawled across her armpit.
Following the early hours inking, she tweeted: "feel more complete w/ my new tat, a declaration that I'm always with u, thanks for a killer summer. And for everything. the Mother Monster (sic)."

One Direction's music has "grown up".
The 'Steal My Girl' hitmakers have just released their fourth album 'Four' and say it is the record they are most proud of.
Harry Styles said: "We've kind of grown up over the last few years. The music has kind of evolved with us.
"I think this is the album we're most proud of."
Meanwhile, Harry - who is joined in the band by Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne - also praised his ex-girlfriend as a "very good" songwriter, but refused to confirm speculation her track 'Out of the Woods' is about their brief relationship, which ended in January 2013.
Asked how he felt about the song, he told 'Access Hollywood': "We all write from personal experience, so it would be hypocritical to say that she can't and she is very good at what she does."
However, the 20-year-old singer admitted he had "been in" the woods at some point.
His bandmate Liam asked: "When were you in the woods?"
Harry replied: "I've been in some woods before."
Meanwhile, 'Four' is expected to knock Taylor's '1989' off the top of the Billboard 200 chart next week.
Insiders predict the album will sell over 420,000 copies in the week ending November 23, taking the second largest debut week of the year behind the 'Shake It Off' star's 1.287 million for her latest LP.
The One Direction record will be announced as number one on November 26, ending Taylor's three-week chart reign.

Bob Geldof wants to release Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran's solo versions of 'Do They Know It's Christmas Time?'.
The artists taking part in Band Aid 30 - which is raising money for the Ebola crisis in West Africa - recorded vocals for the entire song, with their lines chosen at the end and the organiser was so stunned by some of the performances, he wants to release them as stand-along tracks.
He said: "There has to be individual versions of this. I was staggered by the voices.
"With Sam's version, Ed's version, you're just going to go, 'Wow'. They do it so different to what's in my head."
And Bob also praised the "passion and rage" of Sinead O'Connor's version of the track in an interview with Capital FM.
Earlier this week, Bob reacted angrily during a TV interview on Sky News when quizzed by newsreader Jayne Secker about the hypocrisy of certain musicians taking part in the single due to their history of tax avoidance, retorting, "I think you're talking b******s".
The Boomtown Rats singer and the collection of singers on the single have now been defended by showbiz commentator Rick Sky, who insists it is a great thing that they chose to give up their time to help the fight against Ebola.
During an appearance on Jeremy Vine's show on BBC Radio 2, the BANG Showbiz Managing Director said: "Yes there are loads of questions about tax, but we're straying off the point. I'm sure these people are donating themselves and the fact these people are giving their time is important. If you work out how much Bono is worth, if he spends a day in the studio that's worth a lot of money to him. I'm happy for Bono to give a million pounds to this cause and I wish he would. But we're picking on a group of people and castigating them for doing good, if you keep on castigating people they won't do good in the end. Millions and millions of people donating a pound each is maybe better than Bono donating a million pounds himself. Ultimately, Geldof has got up off his backside and has done something and hopefully we're getting somewhere."

Britain's Prince William has recorded a video message to show his support for victims of the Ebola crisis.
The 32-year-old royal urges West African citizens to "keep safe" in the clip which was shot in response to 'Ebola is Real', a video made by the Sierra Leone film crew Future View to educate people on how to contain the deadly virus.
According to the Express newspaper, the Prince has been following the spread of the disease with "great concern" and pushed others to watch the Future View clip which was posted on their Twitter account @FVFGSierraLeone and on YouTube.
He says in the video: "I've been watching with great concern what's been happening in West Africa due to Ebola.
"I wanted to take time to add my name to this video by Future View called Ebola is Real. It's an educational piece that will keep you guys safe on how to treat and prevent the spread of Ebola.
"Health care workers down in West Africa have been doing a tremendous job and long may that continue. I want to congratulate them on the tackling and prevention of the disease - it's a horrible disease and working in very difficult circumstances.
"So please listen to the health care workers. They know what they're talking about. I just want to say keep safe - the world is thinking of you and be safe."
William recorded the video at Kensington Palace before sending it off to the company, which is supported in the UK by Purple Field Productions.

Gemma Collins has quit 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!'.
'The Only Way Is Essex' star has walked out of the jungle just a few days into the 14th series of the show after deciding "that jungle life is not for her".
A spokesperson for the show said: "We're sorry to see Gemma go but respect her decision and wish her well."
Before her departure from the ITV realty series, Gemma, 33, had complained about the lack of food on the show and insisted camp mates were being treated worse than criminals.
She said: "People who murder get treated better than this.
"That's the truth. Even a murderer gets fed three times a day."
She was also reduced to tears during a helicopter ride before the show had started.
The Essex-born blonde made her own way to the camp, but didn't enjoy having to travel through the wilderness.
She said: "I don't know where my camp mates are. I'm in the middle of the jungle and I'm really terrified.
"I should have just got in the chopper. It's just not even funny. How much more have I got to walk to get into this camp?
"If I'm not in that camp in three minutes, I'm quitting, it's the worst thing I've done in my life. It's a nightmare."
The drama continued when Gemma reached the camp, where she started swearing and screaming because a bug was in her hair.
Gemma's departure from the jungle will be shown during tonight's episode at 9pm on ITV.

Chris Pratt and Anna Faris were "devastated" when they were told their son was likely to have special needs.
The couple - who met on the set of 'Take Me Home Tonight' in 2007 and married two years later - welcomed son Jack into the world nine weeks early in August 2012 and were warned they would face challenging times.
Anna said: "He was born at three pounds. And we were told, 'OK, you need to be prepared for raising a special-needs child.' "
While the couple admit the news was "devastating", they were determined to look on the positive side.
Anna, 37, added: "It also felt like, you know, 'We can do this.' "
Chris said: "He's alive."
Happily, the couple say their little boy has no development problems apart from having to wear glasses, and Chris, 35, says their experiences "restored his faith" in God.
In outtakes from his GQ Man of the Year interview, the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' star said: "It restored my faith in God, not that it needed to be restored, but it really redefined it.
"The baby was so beautiful to us, and I look back at the photos of him and it must have been jarring for other people to come in and see him, but to us he was so beautiful and perfect."

Jennifer Aniston threw Courteney Cox an Irish-themed bachelorette party.
The 45-year-old actress is said to have hosted the party for her best pal and former 'Friends' co-star - who is set to marry Irish Snow Patrol rocker Johnny McDaid - in Beverly Hills, inviting 11 of her closest and friends, including Johnny's mum Pauline.
A source revealed: "Jen went all out and had decorated the dining table with green and white bouquets, hand-made mint chocolate truffles and green velvet cupcakes, green and white napkins with shamrock place settings and Celtic charm champagne glasses."
Guests are said to have enjoyed themed treats such as Guinness chocolate cheesecake at the bash at California's Il Pastaio restaurant and Johnny even stopped by to make sure his wife-to-be - who has 10-year-old daughter Coco with ex-husband David Arquette - was having a good time.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "Johnny even made an appearance at the end of the meal."
The couple - who were introduced by 'Thinking Out Loud' singer Ed Sheeran - sparked rumours they'd already tied the knot earlier this year when Johnny, 38, appeared to be wearing a wedding band on his ring finger during a romantic stroll with 50-year-old Courteney.
Meanwhile, Jennifer - who has been engaged to her 'Wanderlust' co-star Justin Theroux since August 2012 - hinted previously that she thought Courteney should enjoy her engagement and not rush into marrying.
She said: "There is something to enjoying the engagement period I have to say, whether it's three months, one year, two, three, four, five years, who knows, enjoy it. There's no rush."

Rosamund Pike is in talks to star in 'The Mountain Between Us'. The 'Gone Girl' actress is said to have entered into early negotiations to appear in the Fox 2000 and Chernin Entertainment adaptation of Charlie Martin's novel, which follows two plane c...