Emmerdale fans in disbelief as they recognise actor playing Meena's prison guard

Emmerdale viewers were were stunned when they identified the actor playing Meena Jutla's prison guard in a recent episode of the ITV soap.

The newcomer was seen speaking to Meena in her cell on Monday, after seemingly replacing another officer - while he also appeared in scenes on Friday.

Meena flirted with Prison Officer Beeker, as he was named in the credits, leaving him uncomfortable - while he was soon doing her favours.

On Monday, he revealed she had a visitor, with Meena's barrister, played by actress Amy Robbins, soon entering the cell to discuss her looming trial.

Beeker was seen pacing the corridor as the barrister and Meena spoke, but by Friday it appeared they had a friendship or more blossoming.

Emmerdale viewers were were stunned when they identified the actor playing Meena Jutla's prison guard (ITV)

Fans were initially puzzled as they recognised the actor playing the role, but they just couldn't place him.

Many viewers were then stunned as they realised where they had seen the actor before, as others thanked them for cracking the case.

Beeker is played by actor Dean Smith, who is possibly best known for his role in BBC series Waterloo Road, where he played Phillip Ryan between 2009 and 2010, and then again in 2011.

Dean Smith is possibly best known for his role in BBC series Waterloo Road, where he played Phillip Ryan (BBC)

Dean has been in a number of other big shows too, including Doctors, Snatch, and soaps Hollyoaks and Coronation Street.

He more recently appeared in Last Tango in Halifax and Still Open All Hours.

Viewers took to Twitter when they realised exactly where they had seen the character before, with many stunned.

One fan wrote: "Omg that security guard was Phillip in waterloo road."

Beeker was seen pacing the corridor as the barrister and Meena spoke, with him set to feature in more scenes (ITV)

Another fan said: "# Emmerdale I’m a bit late with this, but was that prison guard who spoke to Meena the same guy who played Phillip Ryan in Waterloo Road ?"

A third added: "Phillip Ryan from waterloo eh," as a fourth viewer tweeted: "OMG Phil from Waterloo Road in #Emmerdale."

Another fan was grateful for one viewer cracking the case, replying: "Oh thank you!! I knew I knew him from somewhere - even asked the question on here - yep definitely Phillip Ryan as a prison office haha."

Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.