'Emmerdale' actress wins fight for home

Emmerdale star Nicola Stapleton has been permitted to keep her home following a six-year legal battle.

The actress, who plays Eli Dingle's friend Danielle on the ITV1 soap, had been caught up in an £11 million VAT fraud investigation which centred around her father.

Vincent Stapleton, 57, had his assets seized by Customs officials after he was jailed for his alleged wrongdoing. Nicola's home in South-East London was included in the swoop, though she claimed she had purchased the property from her father for £175,000.

Despite claims that she was involved in the alleged plot, a High Court judge has now ruled that Nicola provided "honest and truthful" testimony and will keep her house. Meanwhile, her father was acquitted last year following an appeal.

Stapleton announced that she was joining Emmerdale last month. She has previously appeared as Mandy Salter on EastEnders and Janine Nebeski in Bad Girls.