DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES - DANO THANKS DEAD HUSBAND FOR DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ROLE

New DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES star LINDA DANO is convinced she has her late husband to thank for her role on the hit show.

The longtime US soap star has been signed to play creepy pharmacist GEORGE WILLIAMS' mother on the series - and she's sure the gift comes from beyond the grave.

Dano, whose husband FRANK ATTARDI died of lung cancer last year (04), says, "It was like a present. Maybe my husband Frank orchestrated it. I said to him when I got it, 'Oh my, you certainly picked the number one show Frank, good job.'"