[Sam]

It's from super star to soap star as former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne joins the cast of EastEnders as the new landlady of The Vic, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

Following last week's shock announcement that Walford veteran Barbara Windsor is to leave at the end of the year after 26 years as landlady Peggy Mitchell, show bosses have wasted no time in securing her replacement.

The 65-year-old music guru will play the role of Ida Jacobs and will become the 14th owner of Albert Square's boozer at the beginning of next year when the soaps most iconic character Peggy Mitchell perishes in a house fire, accidentally caused by her son, Phil (Steve McFadden).

Of her casting, Sharon told DS: "It's fabulous to have been picked to fill such an iconic role. Barbara's played a fantastic part for so many years but I'm up for the challenge. I've seen a lot while living with Ozzy and the kids so I hope to bring some of my personal experiences and emotions to the character."

A source revealed: "Sharon's still a good looker at 65 and we're really excited about working with her. Barbara's role will be a hard one to fill so we had to pick someone who'd be up for the challenge - and we looked no further than Mrs O.

"We don't know much about her character as yet but what we do know is that she's an old acquaintance of Peggy's. She hears of her friend's death and turns up at the funeral to assess the situation. Distraught by his actions, Phil decides there are too many memories in the place he used to call home and decides to put it on the market."

They added: "Ida wastes no time in slapping a deposit on the property, despite its crumbling state. Ronnie and Roxy, however, aren't best pleased when their future is whipped from under their feet when Ida swoops in with her bottomless well of cash."

Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: "I'm so pleased to welcome Sharon to the cast and I can't wait to start working with her. We've got so much lined up for her character.

"Nobody comes to Walford with an angelic past and Ida's no different. She has plenty of skeletons hidden away - and one demon in particular will shake Walford to the core."

Sharon begins filming at Pinewood Studios - home of EastEnders - in January and will debut on screen in the middle of February.

The former-judge sensationally quit the X Factor in 2010 surrounding an alleged affair with co-judge and show owner Simon Cowell which was later uncovered as a publicity stunt.
Disclaimer: The article you have just read is not real. This is just for fun. EyeSpy is a glimpse into what may happen in years to come.

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[Matt08]

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[Billy]

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