Zoe Lucker heads to Waterloo Road

Zoe Lucker is heading back to soap land after signing on to star in Waterloo Road.

The former Footballers' Wives and EastEnders star will play the head of a Liverpudlian crime family who attempts to juggle her criminal empire while raising her three unruly children by herself.

She says, "I'm delighted to join the cast of Waterloo Road and work with Shed and the BBC again. It's a show I've always enjoyed and I'm thrilled to be part of the outrageous Barry family. Carol and her kids are going to ruffle plenty of feathers in Waterloo Road - you can't trust them as far as you can throw them! They're a family of great characters - you just wouldn't want the Barrys in your neighbourhood!"

It marks Lucker's first major role since leaving Albert Square last year, and Waterloo Road viewers will see her on-screen debut in early 2013.