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<\/p>\nHOLLYOAKS legend Claire Cooper has landed a huge new TV role alongside Benidorm and Corrie stars.<\/p>\n
It comes just weeks after she returned to the soap after 10 years away. <\/p>\n
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Claire, who is best known for playing feisty Jacqui McQueen on the Channel 4 soap, has landed a brand new acting role in an upcoming Channel 5 series. <\/p>\n
She'll star alongside Benidorm actress and comedy veteran Julie Graham, and Corrie villain Adam Little in the highly anticipated new series The Hardacres. <\/p>\n
The series, which got announced earlier this week, is set in 1871 in Yorkshire, and based on the best-selling novels by CL Skelton.<\/p>\n
The six-part series is currently in production and is due to air later next year. <\/p>\n
Announcing her new role, Claire took to Instagram to share her big news. <\/p>\n Captioning a snap of the casting announcement, she wrote: \u201cMy next role – the feisty Mary Hardacre.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Claire\u2019s former Hollyoaks co-stars – including her husband former Hollyoaks actor turned Hollywood star Emmett J Scanlan – were quick to congratulate her on her exciting career news. <\/p>\n Bronagh Waugh, who played Cheryl Brady on the soap, wrote: "YESSSSS. There she is! Our leading lady!! <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "Delighted that some more of the world gets to see what a brilliant actor and storyteller you are! Huge love and congratulations my darlin (and in great company with our Liam and our @juliegraham)."<\/p>\n While former Hollyoaks legend and Game of Thrones actress Roxanne McKee commented: "Amazing. Can\u2019t wait to watch."<\/p>\n And Leah Hackett, who played Claire\u2019s on-screen sister Tina McQueen, gushed: "Woohoo can\u2019t wait." <\/p>\n With Emmett proudly adding: "From someone who was just on set and watching, this is gonna be a massive hit. I say this in part for you to put out later."<\/p>\n Claire\u2019s huge TV role comes just weeks after it was revealed that she was returning to the soap after 10 years away. <\/p>\n Claire delighted fans of the soap as she reprised the role of Jacqui McQueen for an episode earlier this month. <\/p>\n Many fans are hoping her appearance will pave the way for a more permanent return in the future. <\/p>\n Claire is still regarded as one of the soap\u2019s most popular ever actor\u2019s and is still voted as a fan favourite among viewers despite quitting in 2013.\u00a0<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/DD-celeb-panto-scandals_COMP.jpg\")
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