Heartbeat

Sunday 18 May 2008 8:00pm - 9:00pm

On a Moorland road, Mason (Joe McFadden) rides his bike slowly in front of an ancient tractor engine by the name of Goliath. Behind Goliath drives Wetherby (Rupert Ward-Lewis) in the panda car, equally as slow with a tail of impatient cars bringing up the rear.

At the garage, David (David Lonsdale) waits eagerly for a sight of Goliath. As Mason arrives at the garage in front of the lumbering engine, he informs Bernie (Peter Benson) that they’ve been having a problem with the boiler, just as the engine boiler emits an explosion of hot steam and boiling water, and grinds to halt in the middle of the road. As Wetherby takes the driver to Whitby, Bernie is up in arms that the great bulk of machinery has to be left outside his garage. What chaos will the lumbering engine cause to the village?

Sunday 6 April 2008 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Albert Ross (John Henshaw) is shouting orders at his workers as they build a new battery farm. Frustrated at what he believes is a slow speed, Ross demands the men work harder and faster. Stan Keaton (Jeff Hordley) encourages his friend, Josh (Paul Simpson), to do as Albert says. Josh breaks out of his daydream and continues to move a heavy branch. At the same time Albert shouts at a lorry driver who is two minutes late. Dismayed, the driver drives into the farm, not noticing when Josh gets in the path of the vehicle. Suddenly there is a sickening thud followed by silence as all the workers drop their tools to rush to Josh’s side. Josh lies silent and unconscious in a ditch.

PC Joe Mason (Joe McFadden) finds time for romance but, when he fails to catch the eye of nurse Carol Cassidy (Lisa Kay), he enjoys a fling with an old flame. he lands himself in trouble when it transpires that the lady in question isn’t quite what she seems, but can the cheeky copper charm his way back into Sergeant Miller’s (John Duttine) good books?

Meanwhile, Carol Cassidy is smitten with the sexy Dr Chris Oakley (Leon Ockenden), but how long will it be before she realises that her Mr Right is leading her in the wrong direction?

Elsewhere, Gina Bellamy (Tricia Penrose) befriends a young mum-to-be with a violent boyfriend at an antenatal class. Determined to help, Gina inadvertently gets caught up in their problems and the two pregnant women find themselves being held hostage in a cold store, praying for rescue.

Sunday 30 March 2008 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Lord Ashfordly (Rupert Vansittart) and Gordon Radford (Julian Wadham) are preparing for the village’s annual fox hunt. The pair don’t get off to the best of starts when Radford drives into Lord Ashfordly’s car outside the Aidensfield Arms. Mason (Joe McFadden), arriving on his motorbike, witnesses the pair having a disagreement. It is clear there is no love lost between the pair, and when Mary Radford (Helen Hobson) emerges from her husband’s car, Gordon makes a snide remark about Ashfordly missing his chance. Will the rivalry between Ashfordly and Radford interfere with the hunt?

Sunday 23 March 2008 8:00pm - 9:00pm

On his way to the police station, Sergeant Miller (John Duttine) drives through Ashfordly, while ahead of him, on the pavement, walks Derek Gorman (Aran Bell). Suddenly Miller is caught unawares as Derek steps off the pavement, and into the path of his car. When Miller steps out of his car, it is clear from Gorman’s attitude the two have a long running dispute. Unable to work after losing his licence for drink driving, Gorman is still angry at Miller for enforcing the law and threatens to get even with the police sergeant.

To make matters worse for Miller, when he arrives at the station he finds Ventress (William Simons) standing in the midst of strewn paperwork and fallen filing cabinets – the result of a break in. As the team search through the mess, it appears nothing is missing. What could the burglars have been looking for?

7 March 2008

Former Emmerdale Series Producer Kathleen Beedles will be producing Heartbeat as it prepares for its next series.

The popular ITV1 drama, which regularly attracts between 8 and 9 million viewers, has been re-commissioned by the ITV1 drama commissioning team.

ITV1’s longest running drama series goes from strength to strength, as new producer Kathleen will be responsible for producing its eighteenth series.

Kathleen was the Series Producer on Emmerdale from January 2005 until December 2007 and was responsible for the hugely popular ‘Who Killed Tom King?’ storyline, the explosive 35th anniversary episode that culminated in the fire which engulfed Jack Sugden’s home, and the introduction of much loved characters including Jo Stiles, Lexi Nicholls and David Metcalfe. During Kathleen’s time on Emmerdale, as well as winning a number of soap awards, Emmerdale won the RTS award for best soap in 2005 and was nominated for a BAFTA in 2007.

Heartbeat - The Devil Rides Out
Sunday 13 January 2008 7:50pm - 8:50pm on ITV1.

Leaving the Aidensfield Arms, Londoner Chaz Enderly (Adam Croasdell) drunkenly makes his way to his car. Unsteady on his feet and much the worse for wear, he climbs into the drivers seat and takes off. As Chaz zooms down the road a black dog runs into the middle of the road. Unable to serve quickly, Chaz hits the dog with a thud. Getting out of the car, Chaz goes to check but there’s no sign of the animal.

Elsewhere, Mason (Joe McFadden) investigates the vandalism of Eltering’s Church door. A group of vandals have used red paint to scrawl ‘satanic’ symbols. The Rev. John Peggotty (Jeff Rawle) is convinced there is an evil presence around the church yard and believes the church is being targeted. Trying to reassure the vicar, Joe states the vandalism is most likely the work of a group of lads from Whitby. Is there really an evil presence in the village?

Heartbeat - Farewell Phil
Monday 24 December 2007 8:00pm - 8:30pm on ITV1.

After 16 years it’s finally time to bid a fond farewell to Heartbeat’s PC Phil Bellamy. Heartbeat: Farewell Phil looks at the highs and lows of Bellamy’s life in Aidensfield, from the joy of finding love, to the loss of his only son. Mark Jordon is there to take us every step of the way.

On the 10th April 1992 the nation were introduced to PC Phil Bellamy for the first time. The youngest constable at Aidensfield, Bellamy often landed himself in more trouble than he could cope with, but with a good heart he always worked hard to do the right thing.

Heartbeat - Burying the Past
Sunday 30 December 2007 8:30pm - 9:30pm on ITV1.

Delivering a package to Neil Foreman’s house, the postman gets no reply after ringing the bell. Looking through the window he sees Neil’s body slumped in an armchair and realises something is wrong.

At the dispensary, Carol (Lisa Kay) is packing her bag when Mason (Joe McFadden) appears. Before heading off to see Gina (Tricia Penrose), she comments on the fact Joe is up early and on his way to a call. He says Miller (John Duttine) has agreed to let him stay on. Where does that leave PC Wetherby (Rupert Ward-Lewis)?

Heartbeat - Touch and Go
Sunday 23 December 2007 8:00pm - 9:00pm on ITV1.

At Ashfordly Police Station, Mason (Joe McFadden) hands over the spare keys of the police house to Sergeant Miller (John Duttine) and admits he’s feeling apprehensive about the move down to London and wants to stay in Aidensfield. Miller says it’s too late for him to stay as his replacement PC Don Wetherby (Rupert Ward-Lewis) is due at any moment. While Miller is persuading Joe to take up his placement and give the Met a go, an enthusiastic PC Wetherby turns up.

Later, as Mason drives Wetherby to the police house, he proceeds to make Mason feel worse than he already does by raving about the beauty of the Yorkshire Moors. He can’t understand why Mason would want to leave, not realising Mason clearly is having second thoughts.

Heartbeat - Another Sleepy Dusty Delta Day
Sunday 16 December 2007 8:00pm - 9:00pm on ITV1.

Mason (Joe McFadden) is riding his bike across the moors when he is flagged down by Nancy Beale (Hayley Rudd), with her toddler Peter, standing by the side of the Scarsdale River. When Mason stops she is tearful and explains her boyfriend, Billy Hudson (Matthew Moxon), has fallen over the bridge. As Mason glances up at the bridge, he sees some movement, but can’t make out what or who it is before wading into the river to rescue Billy.

Heartbeat
Sunday 16 December 2007 8:00pm - 9:00pm on ITV1.

Mason (Joe McFadden) is riding his bike across the moors when he is flagged down by Nancy Beale (Hayley Rudd), with her toddler Peter, standing by the side of the Scarsdale River. When Mason stops she is tearful and explains her boyfriend, Billy Hudson (Matthew Moxon), has fallen over the bridge. As Mason glances up at the bridge, he sees some movement, but can’t make out what or who it is before wading into the river to rescue Billy.

Heartbeat
Sunday 2 December 2007 8:00pm - 9:00pm on ITV1.

Miller (John Duttine) is furious when a trio of Australians in a multi-coloured campervan scratch his car whilst driving recklessly on their way to Grimedale Farm. Fuming, Miller heads over to the farm to find the culprits, who infuriate him further when they deny the incident.

Meanwhile, Peggy (Gwen Taylor) has purchased an automatic washing machine and quickly devises a plan to make money by starting her own laundry business. However, the machine isn’t new and David (David Lonsdale) isn’t thrilled about being dragged into another of her enterprises. Peggy, determined to drum up business, heads off to round up customers leaving David to work the machine. Will the new venture prove to be profitable?

Heartbeat
Sunday 25 November 2007 8:00pm - 9:00pm on ITV1.

The night mail train soars through the country and ahead, the signal unexpectedly changes to red. The driver strives to bring the train to a sudden halt to avoid a shadowy figure. Shaken and angry, he confronts the person only to back away, noticing the figure sports a balaclava and a gun. Suddenly a second robber jumps from the shadows and the two viciously attack the driver, causing him to collapse. As the stoker is held at gunpoint, will he surrender the train?

The guard, in confusion, peers out of the window, and is suddenly forced to the floor while the robbers cut open the cage padlock. A puzzled passenger leans out of a window, only to be alarmed by a third robber firing his shotgun into the air. The pair emerge from the guard’s van and throw mail bags down to their accomplice, who piles them into their van.

Heartbeat
Sunday 18 November 2007 8:00pm - 9:00pm on ITV1.

At the police house, Nurse Carol Cassidy (Lisa Kay) persuades Mason (Joe McFadden) to give her a lift to Fossett’s farm where Mrs Fossett has gone into labour. Once there, Mason makes to leave for home, when Carol reminds him she’ll need a lift back.

Mr Fossett (Glenn Cunningham) has another problem and is quick to enlist Joe’s help in saving a trapped cow. Unsure what to do, Joe reluctantly follows Mr Fossett, who is sure Mason will get the hang of things. Later, as Carol holds the new born baby, Mason trudges towards the farmhouse covered head to toe in mud. The Fossett children announce that they have decided to call their new baby brother Joe, after the new constable.