'Pardon me, could you say that again?': Dallas star Linda Gray reveals she couldn't understand her Hollyoaks co-stars when she first arrived on set

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She's swapped the bright lights of Hollywood for Britain's Chester.

And now Dallas icon Linda Gray has admitted she couldn't understand her Hollyoaks cast mates when she first stepped on set.

The 76-year-old actress - who was born and raised in Santa Monica, California - recently joined the Channel 4 soap cast as Tabitha Maxwell-Brown but explained she couldn't understand their Northern accents.

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Lost in translation: Dallas icon Linda Gray has admitted she couldn't understand her Hollyoaks cast mates when she first stepped on set

Appearing on Thursday's Good Morning Britain, she said: 'It was a little hard to understand the very first day. 

'I was like, "excuse me, pardon me, could you say that again?" Then I was right there...

'Hollyoaks' have wonderful producers and they invited me over and when I saw some of the episodes, I said, "perfect, sign me up! I have to go in and just shake it up a little."'

The famed star - who became a household name following her stint on CBS drama Dallas playing Sue Ellen Ewing - opened up about her C4 character.

Hollyoaks bound: The famed star - who became a household name following her stint on CBS drama Dallas playing Sue Ellen Ewing - opened up about her C4 character 

She explained: 'She needs heavy duty, massive amounts of therapy, otherwise we love her. She's a charmer!'

Having made her name on the US drama between 1978 and 1989, Linda admitted her late co-star Larry Hagman - who passed away in 2012 and played her husband J. R. Ewing on the long-running show - insisted he would be annoyed that he wasn't 'invited' onto Hollyoaks.

She explained: 'He was my dearest friend for 37 years, consummate actor and we miss him terribly. 

'I talked to Patrick [Duffy] the other day, we were all very good friends, they called us the three musketeers and that's how we felt. Larry still is around, I know he is. 

Back in the day: The actress, 76, is best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing, the wife of Larry Hagman's infamous character JR Ewing in the 1980s series

New beginnings: Having made her name on the US drama between 1978 and 1989, Linda admitted her late co-star Larry Hagman - who passed away in 2012 and played her husband J. R. Ewing - with her while she films in the UK 

She added: 'He would be very upset that he wasn't invited on Hollyoaks but he's living vicariously through me and loving it. But there were always good times with Larry, he lived a life very well lived and we miss him.' 

Linda made her Hollyoaks debut on on Monday's episode when Tabby's daughter Marnie Nightingale, played by Lysette Anthony, calls her at her home across the pond.

Marnie found herself in financial trouble after investing in a property development scam and the only person who can bail her out is mother, Tabby. 

However, when Marnie's son, James invites Tabby over to the UK, Marnie pales knowing Tabby will not approve of her getting back with ex-husband, Mac Nightingale.

We are family: She will first appear in the soap on Monday's episode when Tabby's daughter Marnie Nightingale, played by Lysette Anthony, calls her at her home across the pond

Talking about her Hollyoaks role, Linda said, 'I'm thrilled to be going from one iconic series to another. Hollyoaks viewers are going to love it when Tabby whips up a storm just like Sue Ellen did.'

Hollyoaks executive producer, Bryan Kirkwood said: 'When we came to discuss who could possibly play Marnie's mother the list was very small. 

'Lysette Anthony has fast become a fabulous soap b***h so having Linda Gray play her mother, Tabitha is the perfect fit.'

Reunited: Linda looks glam as her character meets up with family, including granddaughter Ellie Nightingale, played by Sophie Porley