Emmerdale’s interiors factory won’t know what’s hit it this summer when fun and flirty Leyla Harding takes up her place behind the sewing machine.

Leyla arrives in Emmerdale on Monday 25 August and will quickly wrap factory boss Pollard (Chris Chittell) around her little finger. She’s cheeky, streetwise and savvy and doesn’t do anything by halves.

Played by stunning actress Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi, 25, Leyla goes down a storm with factory colleagues Pearl, Lisa, Doug, Lily and Gennie. But Leyla is cagey about her past and is certainly clued-up which begs the question - what is she doing working in a factory in apparently sleepy Emmerdale?”

Rokhsaneh discovered her passion for acting after appearing in workshops at the Contact Theatre in her home city of Manchester. She has since starred in the UK tour of East is East and played Vina in Rafta Rafta at the Royal National Theatre. Emmerdale is her first major TV role.

Rokhsaneh says “I’m so excited. This is a brilliant opportunity for me as I’ve done lots of theatre but not much TV. Everyone at Emmerdale has been so warm and welcoming. It’s such a well-established show and I can’t wait to see what Leyla gets up to.”

Anita Turner, Series Producer says “Rokhsaneh is a terrific actress and an exciting new addition to the cast. Leyla’s going to have some fun stirring up the factory.”