The Cotswold Players theatre company has announced that the actress Emma Samms has been appointed as their new president.

Emma is best known for her role as Holly Sutton in the American daytime soap opera General Hospital, and as Fallon Carrington Colby in the classic soap opera Dynasty.

Geoff Butterworth of the Cotswold Players said: “As a group we are absolutely delighted to welcome a new President and to have as the head of our theatre company an outstanding professional actress.

“Miss Samms has expressed a genuine interest in taking on this role and we look forward to seeing her at the Playhouse as often as her diary allows.”

The role of president of the Cotswold Players was previously held by actor John Carlin, who passed away in 2017.

Emma was awarded an MBE 2016 for her work with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which she co-founded.

She currently lives in the Cotswolds and this week visited the Cotswold Playhouse in Parliament Street, Stroud, to be shown around the theatre by the Players’ Chairman, Patrick Howell, and the committee member responsible for outreach, John Salter.

She was given a history of the Players, including their beginnings in 1911 as an enthusiastic amateur group performing in local schools, churches and halls in the villages and towns around Stroud.

Although more details of what Emma’s role will involve are yet to be revealed, Geoff is confident the appointment will have a positive impact, especially in attracting new members.

“The Players are keen to further develop membership of young people,” he added.

“We are sure that they will be motivated by having our new president on board.”