Heartbeat unveils its new copper

Heartbeat is getting a new lead bobby, actor Joe McFadden, to replace the outgoing Jonathan Kerrigan (Rob Walker).

ITV describe McFadden as a 'TV heartthrob' and he's previously starred in The Crow Road, Sparkhouse, Sex, Chips and Rock ’n’ Roll and the feature film Small Faces.

McFadden will play Joe Mason, a cop who sets his own rules, which doesn’t always sit well with those around him. Joe’s arrival will cause tension in the station, particularly with Miller (John Duttine), who is unwilling to accept Joe’s work ethics.

McFadden, who's to 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 while working on Sparkhouse and really love it, so I can’t wait to get there and start filming in the beautiful countryside.”

He won't appear in Heartbeat until later this year as Kerrigan returns as Rob Walker for the new series, starting in early May.

Before he leaves, viewers will see Rob at the centre of a love triangle between Carol Cassidy (Lisa Kay) and DS Rachel Dawson (Clare Wille).