Jason Merrells is the latest new signing to Yorkshire soap Emmerdale.

The actor, best known for roles in TV dramas Cutting It, Waterloo Road and Casualty, will play handsome business tycoon Declan, who acquires a stake in the Home Farm estate.

Jason was most recently seen in BBC1 period drama Lark Rise to Candleford. He has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and directed several short films and TV dramas.

ā€œIā€™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,ā€ Jason said.

Viewers will see him arrive in April.