Exclusive: Dotrice for second 'Doctors' appearance

Former Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em actress Michele Dotrice is to make another guest appearance in BBC One's daytime medical drama Doctors, DS can exclusively reveal.

The 60-year-old, who played Frank Spencer's (Michael Crawford) long-suffering wife Betty in the classic BBC sitcom, will play wheelchair-bound pickpocket Jane Shields.

Jane explains to a policeman that she's had her purse stolen just as The Mill's nurse Michelle Corrigan (Donnaleigh Bailey) walks by. Jane drops a carrier bag of shopping and Michelle picks it up for her, before returning to the medical centre.

On her arrival, Michelle's distraught to discovers that, she, too, has had her purse pinched by who she presumes to be the same thief who stole Jane's. Having kept her cash cards separate, Michelle stops by an ATM to withdraw some money but her card is swallowed. Shortly afterwards, the policeman fiddles with the same cashpoint.

Later in the day, Michelle's stunned to discover that her bank account has been frauded. The 'policeman' Matt (Tim Watson-Mitchell) is soon unveiled as Jane's son and accomplice as they board their Winnebago.

When an injured Jane is forced to visit The Mill, a surprise turn of events results in Michelle being tied to Jane's wheelchair and left in a field, while the pickpockets attempt to evade the police.

Dotrice's episode, titled 'Hello, Hello, Hello' is due to air on Tuesday, September 8 at 1.45pm on BBC One.

The actress, who is married to veteran actor Edward Woodward, previously appeared in Doctors last April in an episode titled 'A Pain In The…'.

Woodward, who recently filmed a short stint for BBC soap EastEnders, was hospitalised earlier this month after falling down the stairs at his West Country home.