Will Jason Merrells cut it in Emmerdale?

Cutting It star Jason Merrells is to join the cast of Emmerdale, it has been announced.

Merrells, who starred as Gavin Ferraday in the hairdressing drama, will play handsome business tycoon Declan in the ITV1 soap.

Soap star: Jason Merrells moves from Cutting It to Emmerdale

The character will acquire a stake in the Home Farm estate when murderess Natasha Wylde (Amanda Donohoe) finds herself in need of investors.

Natasha is newly single after bumping off her bigamist husband Mark (Maxwell Caulfield), and viewers will learn whether she is looking for more than just financial help.

Merrells, whose previous credits include Casualty, Waterloo Road and Lark Rise To Candleford, said: "I'm thrilled to be joining a show as respected and well-loved as Emmerdale and look forward to filming my first scenes later this month. Declan's an enigmatic mogul who is bound to raise a few eyebrows in the village."

Series producer Gavin Blyth added: "I'm delighted to be welcoming Jason to the cast. He is an extremely talented actor and will be brilliant in the role of Declan. Jason's role will continue to take the show forward in this very exciting time for Emmerdale."

Merrells will start filming later this month and viewers will see him arrive on screen as Declan at the end of April.

Last week, it was announced that former Hear'Say star Suzanne Shaw would be joining the show as Eve Birch, granddaughter of battle-axe Edna (Shirley Stelfox).