Another 'Bad Girl' joins 'EastEnders'

Former Larkhall actress Kika Mirylees has landed a role in EastEnders.

The 47-year-old actress - who played Bad Girls' inmate Julie Johnston for seven years before the show was axed - is to appear in Walford as Hazel Hobbs, mother to Garry (Ricky Groves).

Hazel will first appear on screen in April when her son attends her wedding. She had plenty of boyfriends when Garry was growing up and she's heading to Albert Square for more.

Of her new role, Kika said: "EastEnders is a programme I watch a lot. I think it will be great fun. The character I am playing is a good laugh which makes a change."

Kika follows in the footsteps of former co-star Linda Henry, whose character, Shirley Wicks, decended on the Square earlier this week, while Victoria Alcock - who played Kika's on-screen best friend Julie Saunders - makes a guest-appearance in The Bill next Wednesday.