Former Emmerdale star Lesley Dunlop has signed on the dotted line for a new role, just one week on from her exit.
The actress, 69, was a regular face in the ITV soap from 2008, when she took on the role of Brenda Walker.
Some of her biggest storylines included a turbulent relationship with Eric Pollard (played by real life husband Chris Chittell), overcoming a brain tumour diagnosis, and losing her adoptive daughter Gennie (Sian-Reese Williams).
Her exit was first reported in November, and she has since parted ways with the Dales.
How did Lesley Dunlop leave Emmerdale?
Some fans may be expecting her to return one day – given Brenda’s final story saw her win tickets for a three month cruise – but that isn’t the case.
When she told her pal Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) that she wouldn’t be accepting the prize, sneaky Nicola hoped that she could bag the tickets for herself.
Brenda eventually decided to head off on the adventure, despite her fears for Pollard’s health.
Leaving with former step-daughter Cathy Hope (Gabrielle Dowling), the youngster will eventually return home… bringing news about Brenda’s long-term future away from the village with her.
What is Lesley Dunlop’s new project?
Lesley is set to appear in a guest role on 5’s The Good Ship Murder.
If it sounds familiar, that’s probably because a number of former soap icons have landed parts in the production.
The series follows cabaret singer Jack Grayling who uses his skills as a former detective on a luxury cruise liner when a passenger is found murdered on board.
Jack is played by The X Factor winner Shayne Ward, who starred as Aidan Connor in Coronation Street between 2015 and 2018.
Another cobbles face gracing the seas is Catherine Tyldesley, alongside Hollyoaks’ Ross Adams.
Claire Sweeney also previously starred with them, and Matthew Wolfenden was seen in the most recent series.
A source told The Sun: ‘Lesley will be making a guest appearance on the upcoming series and it’s not lost on her that she left Emmerdale on a cruise and her first job away from it is on a cruise.
‘And of course the door has been left open at Emmerdale especially with Chris still there she could always pop up in future.’
What other shows has Lesley Dunlop starred in?
Away from soapland, Lesley has a number of roles under her belt, having begun her career as a child actress in the 1970s.
From two Doctor Who guest roles to a long-serving role in the BBC sitcom May to September, she’s been on our screens for decades.
Prior to joining Emmerdale, she played district nurse Anna Kirkwall in another Yorkshire-based drama, Where The Heart Is.
‘She’s going to have a great time filming in the sunshine and on the ship.
