Celebrity Big Brother runner-up Les Dennis is to appear in the revamped soap Crossroads.

The television presenter-turned-actor will guest star as a psychiatrist - a role he will be able to relate to following his admissions on Celebrity Big Brother that he had been in therapy.

Dennis, 48, recently hit headlines after splitting from his actress wife Amanda Holden after seven years of marriage.

He quit his long-running role as host of quiz show Family Fortunes to concentrate on his acting career, and has already made appearances in Brookside, The Bill and on stage.

He is currently taking a break away from the spotlight in South Africa following the collapse of his marriage, but will begin filming on Crossroads on his return.

Dennis and Holden split after seven years of marriage

He will play psychiatrist Dr Richmond who is called in to treat one of the fictional hotel's maids.

A Crossroads spokesman said: "Les will be guest starring in a couple of episodes and we are delighted to have him back in Nottingham.

"He filmed Family Fortunes in the same studios so he has a lot of friends here."

During his stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house in November, 2002, he told his fellow showbiz contestants that he had spent years in therapy.

The couple's relationship was constantly under media scrutiny following the revelation in the press that Holden,31, had an affair with actor Neil Morrissey.

Cast axed

Crossroads makes a return to screens next week having undergone a face-lift in an attempt to boost ratings.

The ITV show will have a new set and many members of the old cast have been axed to make way for famous names.

Among those joining the Crossroads line-up are Jane Asher, former model Emma Noble, Birds of a Feather actress Linda Robson and entertainer Lionel Blair.

The show returned to screens in 2001 after a 13-year hiatus but ratings have not lived up to expectations.