Bill Ward joins Emmerdale

He played one of Coronation Street‘s most notorious bad boys but now Bill Ward is swapping the cobbles of Weatherfield for more idyllic surroundings as he takes on a role in ITV’s rural soap Emmerdale.

The actor has signed up to play the role of James – the  older brother of John Barton – and will begin filming next month. The soap tease that James had a falling out with John (James Thornton) which wasn’t resolved before John’s demise last year.

James is a single-father to three grown-up sons and a farmer like his brother. His first scenes see him pay an unexpected visit to Moira (Natalie J Robb) at Butler’s farm.

I’m delighted to welcome Bill to the show. The Barton family have always been extremely popular with our audience and the arrival of James will be the start of a new era for them. – Emmerdale Producer, Kate Oates

Ward played the villainous Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street between 2003 and 2007. One notable storyline saw Charlie emotionally and physically abuse girlfriend Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay). He later bit off more than he could chew when a relationship with Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) ended in his murder.

I’m really looking forward to it. The Emmerdale team are a very talented bunch indeed and I’m extremely chuffed to have been asked to join them. – Ward on new role

His first scenes will transmit in October.