Ronni Ancona to join EastEnders this New Year

And she'll play Linda's old acquaintance from school!

EastEnders has today announced that Ronni Ancona will be heading to Walford in the New Year for a stint to play Linda Carter’s acquaintance from school, Bea.

In scenes set to air in the New Year, Linda and Bea come face-to-face at their high school reunion, but it quickly becomes apparent that they both have different accounts of their time at school.

As Bea settles into Walford, she soon finds herself in the heart of the drama, and whilst little is currently known about her backstory, she is sure to leave a lasting impression on all those she encounters…

On joining the cast of EastEnders, Ronni Ancona said "I am honoured to have been invited to join the iconic institution that is EastEnders, and to go on this whirlwind of a journey with such an unpredictable, nuanced and complex character as Bea. I hope audiences have as much fun watching her as I have had bringing her to life."

To which EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey added "I’m delighted to welcome the immensely talented Ronni Ancona to EastEnders playing the character of Bea. Bea’s character is mysterious, and we’re thrilled to have an esteemed actress and comedian like Ronni playing her."

Whilst Ronni has never officially graced the streets of Walford up until now, she is no stranger to Albert Square, having previously impersonated EastEnders' very own Peggy Mitchell, Sharon Watts and Kat Slater, amongst others, in The Big Impression.

With a career spanning over 30 years, Ronni has had a highly versatile career, in TV and Film, with a plethora of diverse credits including Last Tango in Halifax, Penelope, Skins and The Trip.

EastEnders continues Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One with first look episodes available from 6am on BBC iPlayer