Father Ted star Pauline McLynn is joining EastEnders to play Charlie Cotton's mother.
Show bosses said the Irish actress, who also starred in Shameless, will have 'a recurring guest role' as Yvonne Cotton.
McLynn, who played housekeeper Mrs Doyle in the Channel 4 sitcom, will be seen on screen next month.
New arrival: Pauline McLynn will join the cast of EastEnders as 'recurring character' Yvonne Cotton , the mother of Charlie Cotton
The show's executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: 'I have always been a little in love with Pauline McLynn so I'm so excited that she's joining the Cotton family.
'It was about time Albert Square had another Irish character and I know that viewers are going to both love and be intrigued by Yvonne Cotton.'
Viewers have seen Charlie, played by Declan Bennett, arrive on the square after the death of his father Nick who was last seen in the soap in 2009.
Cat among the pigeons: Her arrival is sure to ruffle feathers as Dot, Charlie's grandmother, grieves the death of son Nick
John Altman played the soap villain for 24 years and over the years Nick caused his devoted mother Dot constant heartaches including her battle to help him end his heroin addiction and his regular brushes with the law.
McLynn said: 'It is a thrill to join EastEnders, my favourite soap, and in particular any chance to be part of a Dot Cotton storyline is not to be passed up - June Brown is a legend and I feel privileged to act with her.'
The actress became a household name in the nineties thanks to her role in Father Ted, with her 'Would anyone like a cup of tea?' refrain proving popular amongst fans of the hit show.
Familiar face: Pauline's numerous acting credits includew a role as Libby in Shameless alongisde actor David Thelfall
New screen son Charlie rocked up in the Square to give Dot the news that her beloved boy - known as 'Nasty Nick' because of his awful antics, which included trying to poison her - had passed away.
The character made his first appearance on the show at Nick's funeral, and show sources admitted his arrival would always ruffle feathers on Albert Square.
'When Charlie turns up to see Dot she is in pieces – Nick's dead and she has no idea he had another son,' a source told The Daily Star on Sunday in February.
'It's the call Dot always know she would get one day – that Nick is dead - but when it come she's still devastated.
'Nick has put her through so much over the years, he really is the soap's original villain and fans will always remember his sinister "Alright Ma?" whenever he returned to cause his poor old mum more grief.
Would anyone like a cup of tea? But it was her role as housekeeper Mrs. Doyle in Father Ted that turned her into a household name
MOST WATCHED NEWS VIDEOS
MOST READ NEWS
Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2612650/Pauline-McLynn-joins-cast-EastEnders-Charlie-Cottons-mother.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
