Beth Kingston from Bournemouth was announced the victor of the open audition process live on T4 this morning and has won the role of the show's new lead female student, India.
Despite having only received the news this morning, Kingston was almost immediately handed her scripts in preparation to commence filming on Monday. She will make her screen debut in September.
Speaking to DS today, she said: "I was really excited and elated to get down to the last 25, never mind the last six, then three then go on to win. I've been bonding with the girls all week coordinating what we were going to wear on T4!
"I wasn't nervous up until the point we walked into the T4 studio and when they shouted my name out, I couldn't believe it. I was in pure shock. I can't wait to tell my family."
She added: "When I was told that I was starting filming with Hollyoaks on Monday, I realised how quick a turnaround it is working on a soap! I'm just elated."
The 22-year-old faced competition from two other wannabe Hollyoaks stars - Sophie Louise Craig and Brooke India Burfitt-Dons.
> Click here to read our interview with Beth Kingston
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