Soap Swap – Former Eastenders Actress to Join Coronation Street

Former Eastenders actress Jacqueline Leonard is set to join Coronation Street as Owen Armstrong's ex-wife, Linda. The actress, who will appear on the cobbles from February, will be reunited with her children, Izzy (Cherylee Houston) and Katy (Georgia May Foote), for the first time in years. Katy and Izzy have been told by their father Owen that Linda abandoned them because she couldn't cope but as the plot develops, it's clear that he hasn't been completely honest with them. Jacqueline will join the soap early next year Linda's arrival is also set to cause tension between Owen and his partner Anna Windass (Debbie Rush), as Anna is threatened by the arrival of his ex-wife. Ian Puleston-Davies, who plays Owen, recently announced that he was leaving the soap but it remains to be seen if Linda has an impact on this decision. Ian recently announced that he was leaving Coronation Street Jacqueline, who previously played Lorraine Wicks on Eastenders, said: "I am incredibly honoured and excited to be joining the amazing cast of Coronation Street. "I love the Northern wit and humour along with the drama and tension that the wonderful scripts of Coronation Street encapsulate. So excited to start!" Stuart Blackburn, a producer on Coronation Street, added: "Linda's arrival will have a devastating effect on how Owen's family see him and he'll have the fight of his life to hold on to everyone and everything he holds dear. "The sins of the father really will visit Owen's children."