Nicola returns to TV soaps

NICOLA: down on the farm

OLDHAM actress Nicola Stephenson has landed a role in ITV soap “Emmerdale”.

The former North Chadderton School pupil has previously starred in “Waterloo Road”, “Holby City” and “Clocking Off”, but she is most famous for her controversial screen kiss with Rochdale actress Anna Friel in “Brookside”.

Nicola (44) will play village newcomer Tess, a teaching assistant who will be introduced as a “warm, self-assured character with a great heart”.

Her life will take an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with the soap’s long-serving vet Paddy Kirk.

Nicola, a mother of two, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of ‘Emmerdale’. It’s a British institution and I’m very excited about the storylines that they have planned for my character.”

Nicola starts filming this month and her first scenes will air in autumn.