New Dales star reveals character input

Emmerdale's new recruit Kitty McGeever helped to create her new alter ego Lizzie Lakely, she has confirmed.

The comedienne announced that she had signed up for the Dales last month, becoming the first blind actress to be cast in a UK soap.

Speaking on This Morning, McGeever explained: "The character was developed by me with the producers. So I had some input. The producers came to see my standup show and Gavin [Blyth] the producer said: 'We want that woman on stage but toned down', because I'm quite outrageous on stage!

"Lizzie is naughty, she's a reverend, and we talked about what disabled characters have been portrayed on TV before and they are either saintly or boring and I just never wanted her to be a victim. And she isn't! She just manipulates every situation to her own advantage completely."

McGeever lost her own sight in 2002 after her newborn son Felix suffered severe health problems and was unable to leave hospital. He later passed away at the age of one.

"The pressure and stress of that caused problems and complications for me," she confirmed.

The actress has previously described Lizzie as a "loveable rogue", adding that she wants the character to inspire Emmerdale viewers.