Heartbeat unveils new beat bobby

Joe McFadden is joining Heartbeat in its 17th series next month

A new constable will be patrolling the streets of Aidensfield in the next series of nostalgic TV drama Heartbeat.

Joe McFadden will play Pc Joe Mason from the start of the next series.

He will replace Jonathan Kerrigan, who has starred as Pc Rob Walker for three years. Mark Jordan, who plays Pc Phil Bellamy, will also leave the ITV show.

Joe McFadden is best known for roles in BBC dramas Sparkhouse and The Crow Road and his new character is described as "rubbing people up the wrong way".

McFadden, who will film his first scenes in May, said: "Heartbeat is a great show and I'm really looking forward to playing the new cop.

"I got to know Yorkshire whilst working on Sparkhouse and really love it, so I can't wait to get there and start filming in the beautiful countryside."

Kerrigan and Jordan will appear in the second half of the current series, to be shown later this year. Jordan will leave at a time to be confirmed in the new series.

Kerrigan said he had enjoyed his time on the show but wanted to try new projects, while Jordan has been developing his directing career.

Heartbeat, which began in 1991, is based on the books of Peter Walker under the pen name Nicholas Rhea.