Heartbeat cast now - from films to tragedy and unrecognisable Nick Berry
For 18 years, Heartbeat was the Sunday night staple that set people up for the week ahead.
Set in the 1960s, it followed the lives of the residents of Aidensfield in North Yorkshire and in particular its police officers for a staggering 18 series and 372 episodes.
The hit show drew audiences of more than 13 million in its prime time Sunday night slot and was the perfect role for ex-EastEnder Nick Berry.
Over the next almost two decades, characters came and went but the gentle plot lines and warm fuzzy feeling it created never faltered.
It made stars of actors including Niamh Cusack, Joe McFadden, Jason Burr and Nikki Sanderson.
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Heartbeat was on our screens for 18 years (ITV/REX)But then, in 2010 Heartbeat was axed amid falling ratings, leaving both its fans and the village where it was filmed devastated as an entire tourist industry had developed in the filming locations.
There were rumours the Sunday night series would be picked up by Sky but sadly this was not the case and in 2010 the last episode aired.
But what happened to the cast who were made famous by Heartbeat?
Nick Berry
Nick Berry played PC Nick Rowan (Yorkshire Television)
The actor quit the limelight to become a stay at home dad (UniquePictures.co.uk)Heartbeat was created as a vehicle for the former EastEnders heartthrob, who starred PC Nick Rowan from 1992 until 1998.
After five years on the BBC soap and a number one single under his belt, the actor, now 60, was a fan favourite on the ITV show before going on to star as harbour master Mike Nicholls in Harbour Lights and as a police officer in the drama In Deep.
But then he quit the limelight to become a stay at home dad, aged 39.
Speaking about his decision to focus on his family, he told Mail Online in a 2011 interview: "I chose to be a stay-at-home dad and have loved it.
"I always said that when the boys were teenagers I could go back, but the longer you don't do something the harder it is to do it, and I haven't really missed it."
Nick looked a world away from his days on Heartbeat when he was snapped grabbing a local coffee from his bakery recently.
The father-of-two cut a casual figure wearing a black NYC t.shirt, jeans, trainers and sunglasses.
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He was last seen on screens when he rocked up on EastEnders in 2012 for Pat Butcher's funeral, but happily for fans, the star hasn't ruled out a return to Walford completely.
Admitting he'd "never say never", it looks like the door's still open for Wicksy.
Niamh Cusack
Niamh played Nick's wife Kate Rowan on the show, which made her a household name.
She decided to leave the show after becoming pregnant, but went on to have a stellar career in the theatre as well as starring in a number of primetime TV programmes.
Niamh Cusack played Nick's wife Kate Rowan on the show (WireImage)Niamh boasts a number of credits on her CV, including The Tower, Brassic and Death in Paradise.
She is married to actor Finbar Lynch, who she shares son Callum with.
Mark Jordan
Mark went on to star in Emmerdale (Julian Hamilton/Sunday Mirror)Mark played PC Phil Bellamy from the birth of Heartbeat and was a stalwart of the Aidensfield community, reports Teesside Live.
His will they/won't they romance with barmaid Gina Ward kept viewers hooked and there wasn't a dry eye in the house when the couple finally married after she proposed while he was in hospital.
But sadly they didn't get the happy ending they deserved when PC Bellamy was killed in the line of duty.
He was involved in a confrontation with a criminal with a shotgun, who was trying to kidnap his son from his ex-wife.
As the village bobby tried to disarm him he was shot and killed.
Since Mark departed the Yorkshire beat he went on to roles in Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Casualty.
Mark also landed the role of Daz Spencer in Emmerdale and has directed the short film, To The Sea Again.
Tricia Penrose
Tricia Penrose played fiesty barmaid, Gina (ITV)
Tricia now hosts her own radio show on the Wirrall (PA)Tricia was a popular barmaid at the Aidensfield Arms and was known for her straight talking, Scouse wisdom.
She had been a teenage tearaway and was sent to the sleepy village if Aidensfield to work for her uncle, George Ward, in his pub.
Gina quickly fitted into village life but after a series of failed romances it seems she was focusing on her career when she took over the pub from her uncle following his death.
The barmaid and PC Bellamy had always been close and she finally married him in series 16 but was left devastated when he was killed.
She debated leaving the village following his death but after finding out she was pregnant with Bellamy's baby made the decision to stay.
Their son Philip Oscar Bellamy was born in the series 17th finale.
After Heartbeat was cancelled actress Tricia found fame in reality TV appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Big Star's Little Star and Celebrity Pointless.
Now a devoted mum, Tricia now lives in Cheshire with her family and presents a radio show on Radio Wirral.
Bill Maynard
Bill Maynard played loveable rogue, Claude GreengrassAn established actor, Bill had spent 40 years in showbusiness before he joined the cast of Heartbeat, starting in Carry On films and a raft of TV shows.
He played Claude Jeremiah Greengrass from 1992 to 2000 and was known by his surname.
Greengrass was the village wheeler dealer and a loveable rogue who seemed to permanently find himself in sticky situations.
Heartbreakingly, Bill had to leave Heartbeat because of his failing health and his exit was explained with him joining his sister on a Caribbean cruise.
Bill died from injuries he suffered after falling from his mobility scooter on Good Friday in 2018. He was 89.
David Lonsdale
David Stockwell provided comedy relief in HeartbeatDavid Stockwell provided the comedy relief in the village and lived with his mum.
Before long, Greengrass spotted he could easily be duped and he became his skivvy, but made his living by doing odd jobs for the residents of Aidensfield and working in the garage.
David was overwhelmed when Gina asked him to be the godfather to her son.
After Heartbeat ended, David has been seen in Coronation Street, Casualty and the film version of Downton Abbey. He also appeared in The Real Full Monty.
Peter Benson
Peter Benson (far right) played Bernie Scripps (Yorkshire Television)Bernie Scripps was Aidensfield's funeral director and also owned the village garage. He was a key character in Heartbeat for 15 years, leaving in 2010 when the show ended.
Since the hit show was axed he has appeared in Casualty twice and has also had roles in A Touch of Frost, The Bill and Coronation Street.
Peter died in September 2018 at 75.
Nikki Sanderson
Nikki Sanderson swapped the cobbles for the North Yorkshire Moors (ITV)After finding fame as Candice in Coronation Street, Nikki swapped the cobbles for the North Yorkshire Moors as Dawn Bellamy.
She came to stay with her aunt, Gina, shortly after her uncle Phillip's death in her bid to get away from the crowd she had fallen in with in Manchester.
Dawn quickly became a favourite with the villagers and fans but left Heartbeat in 2009.
Nikki is now known for playing Maxine Minnver in Hollyoaks, where she has had a leading role since 2012.
She also appeared on tough survival show Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins.
Derek Fowlds
Derek Fowlds was one of the few actors in Heartbeat from start to finishDerek was one of the few actors who appeared in Heartbeat from its opening episode until its last.
He played Sgt Oscar Blaketon as was the steady hand leading the village police officers.
He was forced to retire from the force following a heart attack and bought the Aidensfield Arms.
Derek had a long and varied acting career, appearing as Bernard Woolley in Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.
Sadly, he passed away aged 82 in January 2020 following heart complications and sepsis.
Jason Durr
Jason Durr's PC Mike Bradley replaced PC Nick Rowan (Yorkshire Television)
Jason now plays nurse David Hide in Casualty (Alistair Heap)Following the departure of PC Rowan, Aidensfield needed a new bobby on the beat and former Met officer, PC Mike Bradley was just the man for the job.
However, the good folk of Aidensfield were not initially keen on their new police officer but he eventually won them round and seemed settled in the village.
Mike married local solicitor, Jackie Lambert, but their marriage fell apart when she cheated on him with a client.
He then dated the village doctor, Dr Tricia Summerbee, and was heartbroken when she was killed in a horse riding accident.
He eventually moved away from the village when he earned a place in CID.
Played by Jason Durr, the actor played nurse David Hide in long running BBC series Casualty, but in October last year announced he was leaving after six years.
William Simons
William Simons also appeared from start to finish (ITV)
William went on to appear in several other TV shows (ITV)As long serving Aidensfield PC Alf Ventress appeared in Heartbeat from start to finish.
Since Heartbeat was cancelled, Welsh actor William appeared in Casualty, The Bill, The Royal, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. He had also previously acted in Lovejoy.
Sadly, William died in 2019, aged 78.
Joe McFadden
He then went on to star in Holby City (BBC)The third big new addition to Aidensfield's police force, Joe played Joe Mason in Heartbeat from 2007 until 2010.
Cocky, he initially wasn't a hit with some of the villagers but was good at his job so soon became a community favourite.
When the show ended, Joe went on to star in Holby City until his character was killed off in 2017.
That same year he was one of the celebrities taking part in Strictly Come Dancing and eventually went on to lift the Glitterball with Katya Jones.
Joe has also starred in The Crow Road and Sex, Chips and Rock and Roll.
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