EMILY SYMONS

Remembered as the bubbly and a bit zany Marilyn Chambers, she returns from the UK after playing Louise Appleton for eight years in Emmerdale.

Although she loved the chance to get to know Northern England (Emmerdale is set in Yorkshire), she is happy to be back among familiar faces such as Ray Meagher and Lynne McGranger. "It's so nice to have them around," she said. "And I look forward to getting to know the young good-looking kids working on the show."

Emily started filming this week and will be seen on-air next year.