Emmerdale spoilers follow.

Former Doctor Who star Colin Baker will make a guest appearance in Emmerdale.

The Sixth Doctor actor has been lined up for a cameo in an episode airing on ITV later this month as a new love interest for Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen).

Diane sets up a date with Colin's character Michael at the Woolpack, but she's caught off guard by what soap bosses are calling his "strange passion".

Baker is far from the first Doctor Who star to appear in Emmerdale. Frazer Hines was a mainstay of the ITV soap in its early years as Joe Sugden, and Jenna Coleman also appeared in the show early in her career.

colin baker, emmerdale
ITV
First look at Colin’s cameo

"I am so old that I remember watching Emmerdale Farm long before it became just Emmerdale when my friend (and colleague from Doctor Who days) Frazer Hines was a youthful Joe Sugden and the wonderful Arthur Pentelow was in the cast," Baker said today (September 9).

"So to get a call to join the cast, albeit briefly, as a possible love interest for Elizabeth Estensen, an actress I had long admired, certainly appealed to me. A bonus was the fact that also in my scenes was Rodney Blackstock, played by my old friend Patrick Mower.

"I enjoyed my COVID compliant time with both of them in Leeds inordinately. As to what happened, well you'll just have to watch and find out. It's a bit of a puzzle actually!"

english actor colin baker pictured in character as the doctor on location during filming of the bbc television science fiction series doctor who in england in 1984 photo by larry ellis collectiongetty images
Larry Ellis Collection//Getty Images

Baker's previous soap experience includes multiple appearances in BBC medical serial Doctors (which did not require his multi-coloured patchwork coat in spite of its title). He has also guest starred in Hollyoaks.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.

Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage

Emmerdale: The Village Tour Souvenir Guide Book
Emmerdale: The Village Tour Souvenir Guide Book
£15 at ITV Shop
Credit: ITV Shop
50 Years of Emmerdale: The official Story of TV's most iconic rural drama
50 Years of Emmerdale: The official Story of TV's most iconic rural drama
Now 36% Off
Credit: ITV Ventures Ltd / Cassell
Emmerdale official 'David's Shop' tote bag
Emmerdale official 'David's Shop' tote bag
Credit: ITV Shop
Request video message from selected Emmerdale stars past and present
Request video message from selected Emmerdale stars past and present
Credit: Karwai Tang
Emmerdale official 'David's Shop' apron
Emmerdale official 'David's Shop' apron
Credit: ITV Shop
Hope Comes to Emmerdale by Kerry Bell
Hope Comes to Emmerdale by Kerry Bell
Now 52% Off
Credit: Trapeze
The Emmerdale Girls by Kerry Bell
The Emmerdale Girls by Kerry Bell
Credit: Orion
Christmas at Emmerdale by Pamela Bell
Christmas at Emmerdale by Pamela Bell
Now 24% Off
Credit: Trapeze
Emmerdale at War by Pamela Bell
Emmerdale at War by Pamela Bell
Credit: Trapeze
If the Cap Fits: My Rocky Road to Emmerdale by Steve Halliwell
If the Cap Fits: My Rocky Road to Emmerdale by Steve Halliwell
Credit: The History Press
Spring Comes to Emmerdale by Pamela Bell
Spring Comes to Emmerdale by Pamela Bell
Credit: Trapeze
Never Judge a Book By Its Cover by Lisa Riley
Never Judge a Book By Its Cover by Lisa Riley
Credit: Orion
Emmerdale Farm - Vol. 1 [DVD] [1972]
Emmerdale Farm - Vol. 1 [DVD] [1972]
Credit: ITV/Network
Emmerdale - The Dingles For Richer For Poorer [DVD]
Emmerdale - The Dingles For Richer For Poorer [DVD]
Credit: ITV Studios Home Entertainment
Headshot of Justin Harp
Justin Harp

Night News Editor

Justin has been with Digital Spy since 2010, and in that time, has covered countless major news events for DS from the US. 

He has worked previously as both a reporter and sub editor for the brand, prior to taking on the position of Night News Editor in 2016. 

Over more than a decade, he has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. As a US contributor to Digital Spy, Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo.