Emmerdale

[~Zoe~]

Former Birds Of A Feather actress Pauline Quirke has joined the cast of Emmerdale as Jackson Walsh's mother Hazel.

The 50-year-old - who played Sharon Theodopolopodous for nine years alongside Linda Robson in the BBC One sitcom - begins filming at the soap's Leeds home at the end of next month and her larger-than-life character soon finds herself at the epicentre of "an enormous and gripping storyline".

Free-spirited teacher Hazel arrives in the Dales on a whistlestop visit to see her son Jackson (Marc Silcock), who is currently being wooed by troubled teen Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller).

However, as one newly-single villager takes a keen interest in her, Hazel's jetset lifestyle is halted when she becomes embroiled in a "hugely dramatic" plot that affects the lives of both her son and his lover.

Speaking of her signing, Quirke said: "I'm really looking forward to joining the show, my mum was a fan back when it was called Emmerdale Farm, so it's always been a part of my life. The show has really moved on, it's consistently good, there are some great characters and great storylines, I've especially loved Aaron's story."

She added: "I've never done anything like this before so it's something different for me and I'm very happy to be a part of it."

Series producer Gavin Blyth commented: "I am absolutely delighted that Pauline will be joining Emmerdale at such an exciting time. She is a fantastic actor who I know will do justice to this character."

He went on: "Alongside Aaron and Jackson, she will be at the centre of an enormous and gripping storyline this autumn/winter. One to really look forward to."

Quirke's other acting credits include Skins, Casualty, Cold Blood, The Bill and My Family.

More recently, she starred as DS Mary Jane Croft in a second series of BBC One's daytime drama Missing.

[Lesley Bee]

Oooh interesting casting there should be good.

[Mrs Bishop]

Yes it will be nice to see Pauline in the role of Jacksons Mother sheould be a very intersting story line .

[~Zoe~]

^ I know, fantastic casting for Emmerdale signing Pauline Quirke, I remember watching her in 'Birds of a Feather', so I'm really looking forward to this Plus it means that Jackson will be around for the year, will be good!

[charmed60]

I might start watching Emmerdale once Pauline Quirke joins the cast, I adore her! She's a brilliant actress, I used to love Birds of a Feather

[Zetti]

Oh yayy am happy about that, it means Jackson will be staying around and thats the best news so far today

[~Zoe~]

^ I know, so good, I love the character of Jackson & Marc Silcock, so it is great that he's staying with the show for the long term! Plus great about Pauline Quirke aswell

[Slade]

Been trying to catch up from since last week. Anyway, I really liked Natasha threatening to take Nathan down with her if he reported her to the police. I also really like the way her relationship with Declan really seems to rubbing Nathan up the wrong way and he’s acting like a jealous five year old. I’m finding the stuff with Nikhil and Maisie quite amusing. The way he was acting when she was round at his, if I didn’t know any better I would have said…dare I use the dreaded V word. I’m so over this storyline with Bob and Viv and wish they’d devote the screen time to other characters. Getting a little tired of this Aaron/Jackson storyline and am starting to think that Aaron should just leave it and find someone else. I actually think he’s got far more chemistry with Adam than he’s ever had with Jackson. There are some scenes which I’m finding quite funny though, such as when Cain left the men’s magazine in the garage for Aaron and got jealous when Charity flicked through it in admiration.

[Red Ranger 1]

Liking the slow burn romance between Marlon and Rhona.I liked them when they were together before, before he kept going back to Tricia, so it's good they've got a second chance.

After being pretty ambivalent towards them for a while, I'm actually starting to like Aaron and Jackson.Aaron seems a lot more friendly and relaxed now and if he keeps it up I might actually like him a bit.Although it is a shame that the show always seems to think that if two gay people meet they're automatically going to end up together.At least it diminishes the chance of them suddenly bowing to fan pressure and making Adam gay.

Not sure what the point is of Cain playing mind games with the Wyldes if nothing's going to happen as a result, it seems rather unlikely at this point that Natasha's going to be brought to justice.Ironic that Nathan's public enemy number one when for once in his life he's actually doing...well, not the right thing but the unselfish thing.

[I Love Mark Furze]

TV Choice Awards 2010 - PLEASE vote Emmerdale, we best make sure they come away with something this time, saves putting bad reports to the media about the lack of winning for them.

NOMINATIONS-

Danny Miller (Best Soap Actor)

Charlotte Bellamy (Best Soap Actress)

Adam Thomas (Best Soap Newcomer)

Aaron's Gay Self-loathing (Best Soap Storyline)

Emmerdale (Best Soap)

http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/