Patsy Kensit has joined the cast of EastEnders for a brief stint playing Emma Harding, the estranged mother of Lola (Danielle Harold).
The actress, 54, has previously appeared in Emmerdale as Sadie King and Holby City as Faye Morton.
The introduction of Emma to Walford comes as Lola battles a terminal brain tumour - and will mark the first time that mother and daughter have seen each other since Lola was abandoned by her at the age of three.
"We're delighted to welcome the wonderfully talented Patsy to the EastEnders family," said exec producer Chris Clenshaw. "She's the perfect fit to take on the role of such a long-awaited character that we know very little about.
"Softly spoken and measured, on one hand Emma is the very opposite of her long lost daughter, Lola. But on the other, there's a striking resemblance; successful, the capacity to hold her own – if she says she'll do something, she'll do it – and she's a fighter, just like Lola.
"Having spent a lifetime apart, Emma becomes desperate to make up for lost time, but her secret sadness and guilt are never far from the surface.
"The burden of losing her daughter has never left her, but can she find the courage to tell her shocking truth and reconnect with Lola, or will it come too little, too late? Patsy's portrayal is bound to set off fireworks in Walford and cause havoc for the Mitchell household."
Kensit said: "I'm so excited to be visiting Walford for this storyline. It has always been a dream of mine to appear in EastEnders.
"The cast, producers, writers and crew have been wonderful, and I've had a ball. Thank you so much for having me."
Kensit has already begun filming and will first appear on screen in January.
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