Hear'Say star Suzanne Shaw joinis Emmerdale cast

She mirrors the move of former bandmate Kym Marsh, who was signed to rival soap Coronation Street as barmaid Michelle Connor four years ago.

Shaw will play feisty and flirty Eve Birch, the granddaughter of battle-axe Edna (Shirley Stelfox), who will ruffle some feathers in the village as she unleashes her charm on the men of Emmerdale.

The 28-year-old found fame in ITV1's Popstars, when she was picked to join the band.

She then went on to star in West End shows including Chicago and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and was crowned winner of skating show Dancing On Ice in 2008.

Shaw said: "I am so excited to be joining the cast of such a popular and long-standing show.

"It's quite daunting to think I'll be watched by millions of people every night but I can't wait to get stuck in to country life.

"Eve is going to be such a fun character to play, she's a real flirt and her arrival is definitely going to cause fireworks."

Series producer Gavin Blyth, who made several new signings when he took over the reins at the rural soap last year, said: "We are delighted to welcome Suzanne to the cast. Viewers can look forward to some explosive storylines as Eve cranks up the heat in the village and attracts her fair share of male attention."

Shaw begins filming in February and will appear on screen from April.