Former EastEnders star joins rival soap two decades after leaving Albert Square and jetting off Down...

Former EastEnders actress Hannah Waterman has signed on with a competing soap opera two decades after her departure from Albert Square.

The actress portrayed the character Laura Dunn on EastEnders, who was Ian Beale's third spouse. She appeared on the show from 2000 until her character was written out in 2004.

After packing her bags and relocating to Australia, Hannah is now ready to portray a magistrate in Home and Away, with her episodes scheduled to be broadcast in the UK next month.

Hannah's most recent acting role in the UK was back in 2013, after which she relocated to Australia. There, she eventually wed Huw Higginston, known for his role in The Bill.

A source informed The Sun: "Hannah relocated to Australia years ago to start fresh, but she's still involved in acting."

Hannah Waterman, who used to star in EastEnders, has signed on with a competing soap opera, two decades after she departed from Albert Square.

The actress portrayed Laura Dunn on EastEnders, who was Ian Beale's third spouse, from 2000 until her character was written out in 2004.

She enjoyed a quick return to the world of soap and it’s possible that this brief engagement might lead her to stay for good.

The new position arrives two years after Hannah tied the knot with Huw Higginson, known for his role in The Bill, in Australia, which was just five months following the passing of her well-known father, Dennis.

Huw shared his joyful announcement on X, previously known as Twitter, stating: "I married my sweetheart yesterday. It was an amazing day!"

He posted a photo of Hannah in a blue printed dress at the event, as they stood together on a boat in Sydney harbor with their son Jack.

Hannah was spotted looking joyfully at her new husband while they relaxed together at the back of the boat, holding her wedding bouquet in her lap.

Huw appeared stylish in a navy suit, while their son was suited up in black. In another photo posted by the groom, the couple is seen surrounded by their loved ones.

Hannah's dad passed away in May when he was 74 years old. She posted a photo of the iconic TV star grinning while holding her as a baby in his arms.

The actress, whose mother, Patricia Maynard, was abandoned by her father in 1987 after ten years of marriage for Rula Lenska, expressed, "I loved my dad!"

After relocating to Australia, Hannah is ready to take on a role as a magistrate in *Home and Away*, with her scenes scheduled to broadcast in the UK next month. (She is seen in *EastEnders* in 2002).

The new position comes two years after Hannah tied the knot with Huw Higginson, known for his role in The Bill, in Australia. This was just five months following the passing of her well-known father, Dennis.

Huw shared the joyful announcement on X, previously known as Twitter, expressing, "I married my partner yesterday. It was an amazing day!"

Dennis received a diagnosis of stage four lung cancer just under three months before he passed away, following the discovery of a tumor in a bone in his leg.

Hannah had a bitter separation from her EastEnders co-star husband, Ricky Groves, in 2009. The split happened after Ricky claimed that Hannah admitted to having an affair with Huw and that she planned to leave him on New Year's Eve.

Hannah and Huw have been in a relationship since 2010, following a decade-long friendship. In a 2011 interview, Hannah shared that they rekindled their closeness in 2009 when they were paired together in two stage productions.

Hannah, who had dramatically shed two-and-a-half stone through a fitness program showcased in a DVD, was still married to Ricky at that point. He attributed their separation to her exercise DVD.

She openly expressed her admiration for him, stating, "Huw is wonderful in person. When it’s just the two of you on stage, you really need to have complete trust in one another... he is truly dependable."

She ended her relationship with Ricky on New Year's Eve in 2009. Then, in June 2010, Huw moved into her house in Essex after experiencing problems in his marriage to Geraldine Dove-Higginson, with whom he has a daughter.

Hannah had a bitter breakup with her husband Ricky Groves, who was also her co-star on EastEnders, in 2009.

Huw tied the knot with Geraldine, who was a stage manager and previously worked as an art director on The Bill, in 1997.

Hannah reflected on her friendship with Huw, which has had its ups and downs over the past decade. They initially crossed paths when he portrayed her inappropriate landlord in EastEnders, but since then, they've performed in two plays together. This was shared in an interview from 2011.

Last year, Huw faced some challenges in his personal life while I was busy touring with Calendar Girls. During that time, he stayed at my place for a bit. He moved in with me in June, and from that point on, everything developed quickly!

We've preferred to remain discreet since we are both rather private individuals. Our intention was to allow our relationship to develop away from the spotlight. Early in our journey together, we discussed our desire to start a family in the future.

Huw, known for his charming yet simple-minded role as police officer George Garfield in The Bill, shared the stage with Waterman in the productions Rattle Of A Single Man and Killing Time back in 2009.