Bad Girls legend Simone Lahbib joins EastEnders

\'Bad Girls\' legend Simone Lahbib has joined the cast of \'EastEnders\'.

The 55-year-old actress - who played G-wing governor Helen Stewart in the prison drama - has admitted she is looking forward to "a bit of a \'Bad Girls\' reunion" as she is to share a set with her former co-stars Linda Henry (Shirley Carter), Luisa Bradshaw-White (Tina Carter) and Kellie Bright (Lind Carter), who played \'Bad Girls\' characters Yvonne Atkins, Lorna Rose, and Cassie Tyler respectively.

Simone said: "I\'m thrilled to be joining \'EastEnders\'.

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"I can\'t say too much about who I am playing just yet, but it\'s fair to say that she is set to have a lasting impact on the Carters and will test their strength as a family.

"It\'s also been lovely to be reunited with Linda, Luisa and Kellie - it\'s been a bit of a \'Bad Girls\' reunion."

Simone - who played Downton Abbey\'s Wilkins in 2012 - looks set to work alongside Danny Dyer as her storyline is to have an "important" impact on his character Mick Carter.

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EastEnders\' executive producer Jon Sen said: "We\'re delighted to welcome Simone to Walford. Her character\'s links to the Carter family will form part of an important new storyline for Mick in particular.

"It\'s a story that we look forward to sharing with the audience - with its impact on the Carters set to be everlasting."

It\'s not yet known if Simone\'s character will have any run-ins with Linda\'s alter-ego Shirley, but the pair were no strangers to on-screen clashes as their \'Bad Girls\' characters Helen and no-nonsense hitman-hiring Yvonne.

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In the classic series, Luisa\'s character Lorna was one of the Larkhall prison guards, on Helen\'s side of the law, whereas Kellie\'s alter-ego Cassie was an inmate who was eventually pardoned after saving prison governor Neil Grayling from a fire at the jail.