Lisa Faulkner has landed a role in 'EastEnders' as Fi Browning.
Lisa Faulkner and John Torode
The 45-year-old actress - whose partner is TV chef John Torode - will play a major part in the BBC One soap, but she and executive producer Sean O'Connor are remaining tight-lipped about her character and how she will make her mark on Albert Square, although the latter teased that she is "a no-nonsense but sophisticated business woman", who has her "sights" set on another Walford resident.
Speaking about her new gig, Lisa said: "I'm so happy to be joining the cast of 'EastEnders' - it's an iconic show and I can't wait to play my part in it.
"Fi Browning is a hugely exciting character and I'm really looking forward to working with Sean and all the team, and revealing more about her.
"I can't say any more now as I'm sworn to secrecy, but it's going to be a lot of fun."
Sean added: "I'm really thrilled that we have been able to tempt Lisa Faulkner back to TV drama and back to the BBC.
"She's an extremely accomplished and hugely popular actress and we're very excited to have her in Albert Square.
"Fi Browning is something of a departure for 'EastEnders'; a no-nonsense but sophisticated business woman with strength and vulnerability.
"But does she have an agenda? And who - or what - has she set her sights on?"
Since Lisa won 'Celebrity MasterChef' in 2010 she has gone on to front a number of food-related projects, including co-hosting a TV show called 'Real Food Family Cook Off' and releasing her own cookery books.
However, starring in 'EastEnders' will see her return to her acting roots as she has previously starred in 'Holby City' and 'Death in Paradise'.
Fi Browning is set to join the soap this spring.
It follows the casting of former Blue singer Lee Ryan, 33, who will play bad boy Woody and is expected to appear on screens in the coming weeks.
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