Linda Gray has joined the cast of 'Hollyoaks'.

Linda Gray

Linda Gray

The 75-year-old actress - who was known for portraying long-suffering wife Sue Ellen Ewing in CBS' 'Dallas' between 1978 and 1989 - is set to make a guest appearance in the Channel 4 soap in the autumn as Tabitha Maxwell-Brown - the mother of Marnie Nightingale (Lysette Anthony) - following the death of her husband.

She said: "I'm thrilled to be going from one iconic series to another and can't wait to work with the fantastic cast.

"'Hollyoaks' viewers are going to love it when Tabby whips up a storm just like Sue Ellen did."

Although Linda's appearance in the show will only last a week, bosses have left the door open for a future return.

'Hollyoaks' Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood explained: "When we came to discuss who could possibly play Marnie's mother the list was very small.

"Lysette Anthony has fast become a fabulous soap bitch so having Linda Gray play her mother Tabitha is the perfect fit.

"We can't wait to have an international TV icon arrive in Chester and become part of the 'Hollyoaks' family."

Meanwhile, Linda isn't the only newbie on the soap as Chelsee Healey has also joined the programme as "tough, gobby and absolutely shameless" Goldie McQueen.

The 27-year-old actress will play a distant member of the mouthy family and is set to wreak havoc in Chester when she goes to extreme lengths to make cash for her sons.