Heartbeat cast now 31 years since TV debut – including unrecognisable Nick Berry

Heartbeat was a staple to our TV screens for 18 years, with the hit ITV show airing every Sunday evening. The series started airing back in 1992 and continued until 2010, before it was axed due to failing ratings. Heartbeat followed the lives of the residents of Aidensfield in North Yorkshire in the 1960s. 18 series were made in total, with a staggering 372 episodes airing.

In its prime, Heartbeat drew in over 13 million viewers on a Sunday evening. The show starred actors including Mark Jordan and Nick Berry, with many famous faces joining the cast and exiting over the years. So, where are the cast of Heartbeat now? Let's take a look...

Nick Berry

Nick Berry portrayed PC Nick Rowan in Heartbeat from 1992 to 1998, but many will remember him as Simon Wicks in EastEnders. The actor, 61, was a fan favourite on both shows.

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He went on to star as Mike Nicholls in Harbour Lights and as a police officer in the drama In Deep. Nick turned his back on fame to become a stay at home dad age 39. Speaking about his decision, he told MailOnline in a 2011: "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 returned to EastEnders in 2012 for Pat Butcher's funeral, but has not been seen on-screen since. He previously said he'd "never say never" returning to Walford, but no plans have ever been made.

Niamh Cusack

Niamh Cusack portrayed Kate Rowan - wife to PC Nick Rowan - in Heartbeat. The show, which she starred in from 1992 until 1995, helped to make her a household name. Niamh, 65, left the show after falling pregnant. However, she went on enjoy a stellar career in the theatre as well as starring in a number of primetime TV programmes.

Her acting credits including Brassic, The Tower and Death in Paradise. Away from TV, she's married to fellow actor Finbar Lynch and the couple are parents to son Callum.

Mark Jordan

Mark Jordan portrayed PC Phil Bellamy from the very start of Heartbeat. He exited the ITV show in 2007 with his character being killed off. Mark went on to appear in Emmerdale as Daz Spencer. He's also starred in Casualty, Coronation Street, Doctors and Rocket's Island. He also directed short film To The Sea Again.

The actor is married to Emmerdale actress Laura Norton, with who he shares two children. He was previously married to Siobhan Finneran.

Tricia Penrose

Tricia Penrose played barmaid Gina Ward in Heartbeat. She played the role continuously for 17 years - from 1993 until 2010.

Following the axing of Heartbeat, the actress found fame in reality TV appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Big Star's Little Star and Celebrity Pointless. Tricia, who is also a singer, now lives in Cheshire with her family and presents a radio show on Radio Wirral.

Bill Maynard

Bill Maynard was already an established actor when he joined the cast of Heartbeat as Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in 1992. He remained on the show for eight years before leaving in 2000.

Bill, who starred in Carry On films and dozens of TV shows, sadly passed away in 2018 age 89.

David Lonsdale

David Lonsdale portrayed David Stockwell in Heartbeat from 1993 until 2009. The actor has also starred in Coronation Street, Casualty, Emmerdale and Vera.

David had minor film roles in The Full Monty and Downton Abbey and has also performed in theatre productions. He now presents a Sunday morning show, The Southport Arts Show, on community radio station Mighty FM.

Peter Benson

Peter Benson was best known for playing Bernie Scripps in Heartbeat from 1995 until 2010. He also had roles in Coronation Street, The Royal, The Bill, and Casualty.

Peter sadly passed away in September 2019 aged 75, following a short illness.

Derek Fowlds

Derek Fowlds played Oscar Blaketon in Heartbeat from 1992 until 2010. The actor was also known for his roles in The Basil Brush Show, Yes Minister and its sequel Yes, Prime Minister.

Derek passed away in January 2020 aged 82 after suffering complications of heart failure and sepsis, which had followed pneumonia. His funeral was held in Wiltshire in February 2020.

Jason Durr

Jason Darr starred in Heartbeat as Mike Bradley from 1997 until 2003. Many will also recognise him as David Hide in Casualty, as he played the role from 2016 until 2023.

Jason has also appeared in Midsomer Murders and Holby City, among dozens of other TV shows and films. In 2022, he announced he was leaving Casualty after six years on the show. He is set to star as Colonel Mustard in the new play Cluedo 2, which opens in spring 2024.

Nikki Sanderson

Nikki Sanderson initially found fame on Coronation Street, before joining the cast of Heartbeat as Dawn Bellamy. She stayed on the show for around one year.

Nikki who is a former glamour model, has starred in several hit shows, such as Holby City. She currently plays Maxine Minniver on Hollyoaks, having taken on the role in 2012.

She's received several awards nominations for her acting and in 2014 she won Best Actress and the Inside Soap Awards. As of 2022, Nikki is in a relationship with fellow soap star Anthony Quinlan.

William Simons

William Simons played the role of PC Alf Ventress in Heartbeat for 18 years in total, having made his debut in 1992 before exiting in 2010.

William has also has regular roles in The Guardians, Crown Court, Cribb and The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries. He has made guest appearances in Coronation Street, The Darling Buds of May, Casualty, The Bill and more.

Joe McFadden

Joe McFadden starred in Heartbeat as PC Joe Mason from 2007 until 2010. Many will also recognise him as Raffaello "Raf" di Lucca in Holby City, a role he played from 2014 until 2017. Joe won Strictly Come Dancing with Katya Jones in 2017.