Created 25th June 2005

Avril

Expected: July 2005 -
Played by: Melanie Hill

27th May 2005

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By Anita Singh, PA Showbusiness Editor

Bread star Melanie Hill is to join the cast of TV’s Emmerdale.

Hill will play Bob’s new girlfriend, Avril – who bears an uncanny similarity to his ex, Viv.

The 43-year-old actress is best known for her role as Aveline in Bread.

She has also appeared in The Bill and women’s football drama Playing The Field.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Emmerdale and I’m really excited to be joining the show,” Hill said.

Her character will appear in the ITV1 soap from July.

Bob meets her through a dating agency after splitting from Viv.

The pair go on a succession of dates – and postmistress Viv cannot bear her new love rival.

An Emmerdale spokeswoman said: “It’s a fantastically funny storyline.”