Alex Carter joins Emmerdale

TV

09:30 02 November 2005

'Hollyoaks' star Alex Carter is joining rival soap 'Emmerdale'.

The 22-year-old actor, who plays Lee Hunter in the Channel 4 show, has landed a role on the ITV programme as Jamie Hope, the son of Bob, portrayed by Tony

Audenshaw.

He will arrive in Emmerdale in the New Year for his dad's wedding to Viv, played by Deena Payne.

Alex - who won the Best Comedy Performance honour at the British Soap Awards last year - revealed: "Jamie is a chip off the old block, but has a slightly strained relationship with his dad."

He added: "I'm really excited about the character and can't wait to get started on 'Emmerdale'."

Also joining the soap in the New Year will be former 'Casualty' and 'The

Bill' actress Kerry Stacey, who will arrive in the village as Danny Daggert's (Cleveland Campbell) cousin Tonicha.

The actress said of her feisty character: "It's absolutely brilliant to be joining such a strong team and I'm thrilled to be playing a character as mischievous as Tonicha. She's going to be a lot of fun!"

(c) BANG Media International