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EastEnders signs VERY surprising actress to play Karen Taylor’s sister

She'll need a serious MAKEUNDER

Former S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt is to join the cast of EastEnders later this year.

The singer-turned-actress is the latest pop star to arrive on Albert Square following the casting of Blue’s Lee Ryan as Harry “Woody” Woodward earlier this year.

Spearritt will appear for a short stint in the role of Kandice Taylor, the younger sister of Karen Taylor, the BBC said.

On appearing on the show, she said: “I’m over the moon to be joining the show, it’s such a huge part of British telly.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started and I can’t wait to see the Square in the flesh… Walford here I come.”

This is the second exciting cast news this week.

On Tuesday night it was announced that a hugely popular former resident of Walford would be making her return.

Mel Owen!

The reveal came with a short video clip of Mel walking into the Square.

Read more: EastEnders star reveals HUGE Christmas storyline

As to why she’s back, we’re still scratching our heads.

Mel was resident in Walford from 1998 to 2002. She famously married Ian Beale on New Year’s Eve and then left him almost immediately after discovering he’d lied about his daughter Lucy having cancer.

She also married resident bad boy Steve Owen, and had an affair with Phil Mitchell. But why has she returned now?

In another tweet, actress Tamzin Outhwaite, who played her, said she always knew she’d be back.

She was last seen on the Square escaping with £30,000 of Phil’s money after she was falsely accused of being involved in Steve’s drug smuggling.

We don’t expect Phil will be that pleased to see her then, unless she’s returning the cash!

Speaking of her return Tamzin said: “When I got the call from John Yorke, the show’s creative director, I just couldn’t refuse.

“John created Mel’s most memorable storylines so it is an honour he has asked me to return.

“EastEnders is in my DNA and I always knew deep down that someday I would revisit Mel – she is a strong independent woman with lots more stories to tell.

“To be stepping back into the character’s shoes nearly 20 years after I first started feels perfect.”

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John Yorke said: “Tamzin is one of EastEnders’ biggest stars, so it’s particularly exciting to welcome her back to Walford for an incredible storyline – one that will awaken a lot of old ghosts, some great memories and a whole new series of adventures too.

“We’re thrilled and flattered to have Tamzin back and we can’t wait to reveal just where she’s been, and just who Melanie Owen is now.”


Kaggie Hyland
Editor-in-Chief

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