Catherine Tyldesley has been announced as a new cast member of ‘Coronation Street’/

The former Emmerdale star will take on the role of new landlady Stella’s (Michelle Collins) daughter, who will also be the long lost half sister of street regular Leanne Barlow.

The blonde beauty is best known as prison warder Abi Peterson from the other ITV soap but will now jump shows and arrive in Corriw next month alongside feisty Stella to surprise Leanne (Jane Danson).

Catherine – who will play Eva Peters – said: “I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

However, this isn’t the first time Catherine has appeared in the ITV1 soap, as she played a midwife in 2005 when Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati) gave birth to twins.

Alongside Michelle and Catherine, ‘Taggart’ star John Michie will also be joining ‘Coronation Street’ to play Stella’s husband Karl, with the family set to give current Rovers boss Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) more than he bargained for as soon as they set foot on the cobbles.

Executive producers Kieran Roberts recently explained: “Karl and Stella’s fiery marriage is sure to keep viewers hooked through 2011 and beyond.

“Michelle’s acting credentials are first class with more than a decade leading some brilliant and memorable drama series. I am certain she is going to be fantastic as the warm, funny, steely, flawed and larger-than-life northern matriarch Stella.”