Phina Oruche: 'I'm delighted for Lucker'

Phina Oruche has revealed that she is thrilled over former colleague Zöe Lucker's casting in EastEnders.

Lucker, who starred alongside the actress in Footballers' Wives, signed up to play Vanessa Gold on the Walford drama earlier this year and has since had her contract with the programme extended.

Oruche, meanwhile, recently landed a soap deal of her own and is now playing Gabby Sharpe on Hollyoaks.

Speaking to DS about her former co-star's new role, Oruche commented: "I haven't seen her but I'm so delighted. I told her many, many times that as a result of her kicking ass [on Footballers' Wives] for four seasons before I got there, I had a job. She was a consistent part of that show for its entire journey.

"I'm looking forward to seeing her on screen. I'm sure she will have created something noteworthy - she's a very good actress and a very nice girl."

She added: "The difficult thing about succeeding in a part is you get offered the same part endlessly, it's not that you can't do anything else - [Zöe] had to wait until there was something she could do differently. I'm delighted for her. She's a lovely girl and works hard."

> Click here to read our interview with Phina Oruche
> Click here to read more from Phina in Soap Scoop