HOLLYOAKS legend Claire Cooper has landed a huge new TV role alongside Benidorm and Corrie stars.
It comes just weeks after she returned to the soap after 10 years away.
Claire, who is best known for playing feisty Jacqui McQueen on the Channel 4 soap, has landed a brand new acting role in an upcoming Channel 5 series.
She’ll star alongside Benidorm actress and TV veteran Julie Graham and Corrie villain Adam Little in the highly anticipated new series The Hardacres.
The series, which got announced earlier this week, is set in 1871 in Yorkshire, and based on the best-selling novels by CL Skelton.
The six-part series is currently in production and is due to air later next year.
Announcing her new role, Claire took to Instagram to share her big news.
Captioning a snap of the casting announcement, she wrote: “My next role – the feisty Mary Hardacre.”
Claire’s former Hollyoaks co-stars – including her husband former Hollyoaks actor turned Hollywood star Emmett J Scanlan – were quick to congratulate her on her exciting career news.
Bronagh Waugh, who played Cheryl Brady on the soap, wrote: “YESSSSS. There she is! Our leading lady!!
“Delighted that some more of the world gets to see what a brilliant actor and storyteller you are! Huge love and congratulations my darlin (and in great company with our Liam and our @juliegraham).”
While former Hollyoaks legend and Game of Thrones actress Roxanne McKee commented: “Amazing. Can’t wait to watch.”
And Leah Hackett, who played Claire’s on-screen sister Tina McQueen, gushed: “Woohoo can’t wait.”
With Emmett proudly adding: “From someone who was just on set and watching, this is gonna be a massive hit. I say this in part for you to put out later.”
Claire’s huge TV role comes just weeks after it was revealed that she was returning to the soap after 10 years away.
Claire delighted fans of the soap as she reprised the role of Jacqui McQueen for an episode earlier this month.
Many fans are hoping her appearance will pave the way for a more permanent return in the future.
Claire is still regarded as one of the soap’s most popular ever actor’s and is still voted as a fan favourite among viewers despite quitting in 2013.
