Emmerdale casts Beth Cordingly as Caleb Milligan's wife

Beth Cordingly has joined the cast of 'Emmerdale'.

The 47-year-old actress - who has had roles in 'Family Affairs', 'The Bill' and 'Dead Set' - played Debbie Morton, Shirley Carter's (Linda Henry) prison mate in rival soap EastEnders on BBC One, and now it's been confirmed she's heading to the Yorkshire Dales early next year to portray Caleb Milligan’s (Will Ash) wife, Ruby Fox-Milligan.

Ruby is the mother to Nicky (Lewis Cope) and all hell will break loose if she finds out Caleb has found himself a new family.

Beth said: “I’m delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale, it’s an enormous privilege and Ruby is a dream role. She’s a firecracker and a trouble-maker and I think people will love her or hate her, and I can’t wait to get stuck in with this fabulous cast.”

Producer Kate Brooks added: “Ruby is an absolute force of nature who sweeps through the village with scores to settle. Fiercely loyal to her family, Ruby will do anything and everything to protect her loved ones...

"Her relationship with Caleb is infused with intense passion that manifests itself as the ultimate volatile relationship. Ruby is a character who pulls no punches and always makes an impression. We're delighted to welcome Beth to the show and we're sure she'll make a wonderful addition to the village.”

'Emmerdale' airs weekday nights at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX.