SOAP SCOOP| Daytime

MAJOR NEWS AT "DAYS OF OUR LIVES & quot;: John Ingle, who has played Edward Quartermaine on "General Hospital" since 1993, has jumped ship to "Days of Our Lives," where he'll play the role of Mickey Horton. And Brody Hutzler debuted last week on "Days" in the role of Patrick Brian Lockhart. Hutzler played Cody on "Young and Restless" and has also starred on "Guiding Light" and "As the World Turns." Meanwhile, it seems likely that Nicole will beat Victor's murder rap and stick around Salem to cause more trouble, since actress Arianne Zucker recently signed a multiyear contract with "Days of Our Lives." She's been with the show since 1998.
FAMILIAR FACE: Lorenzo Lamas, well known to classic soap fans as the womanizing Lance on "Falcon Crest," has joined "Bold and Beautiful" as Caitlin's father, Hector Ramirez. The character's working-class background is likely to bring him into conflict with the Forresters, especially as Caitlin and Thomas grow closer. Lamas recently hosted the short-lived ABC reality show, "Are You Hot?"
COMING ON BOARD: "As the World Turns" has signed "Black Hawk Down" star Chris Beetem to play Jordan Sinclair, a new employee at B.R.O. Beetem, who'll debut March 3, has guest-starred on "Law & amp; Order" and "Law & amp; Order: SVU."
& copy; 2004 Tribune Media Services Inc.