A most welcome change of heart.
Former Heartbeat star Mark Jordon has made a Yorkshire village swap and he couldn’t be happier.
Mark, 49, spent 15 years playing lovable copper Phil Bellamy in ITV’s long-running nostalgic drama.
His PC was killed off in 2007 and now Mark has moved from Aidensfield to Emmerdale after joining the popular soap.
“After the first day of filming I drove home and my cheekbones ached because I was smiling all the way,” recalls dad-of-two Mark, 49.
“I had 10 scenes in the Woolpack and I really enjoyed it. The people I mostly work with are Natalie Anderson and Matthew Wolfenden and they’re scrummy I love watching them work.
“They’re like a proper old married couple together. It’s a joy being up close and watching because they’re quite brusque and pernickety but they love each other dearly.”
Mark makes his debut this week as Daz, the former soldier brother of Dan (Liam Fox).
His army tales have the girls swooning over him and he acts the hero when a masked raider tries to rob the shop. But there’s no brotherly love lost with younger sibling Dan and he’s set to cause havoc.
“He just can’t resist messing things up,” confides Mark.
“There’s so much spite in the way he wants to interrupt everything good in Dan’s life. Once he’s in the village he sees the lifestyle Dan has and he wants a piece of that.”
Although he’s the new face in the soap, the Leeds studio base was more than familiar.
“I was in the building when we did Heartbeat,” confides Mark.
“The producers, writers, directors would all meet here. We’d try and learn the scripts and socialise as well so it’s a real familiar place for me. But it has such a different vibe and energy.
“It’s got a great feeling and everyone has been delightful to me. It’s one of the most calming sets I’ve ever been on considering there’s so much to do.
“Everyone works at such a pace, but they know what they’re doing and there’s never a raised voice.”
Mark’s married to Siobhan Finneran, who played Downton Abbey baddie housekeeper Miss O’Brien and recently starred alongside Sarah Lancashire in BBC’s sensational drama, Happy Valley.
Although Daz will initially only be making a flying visit, talks about a return have been taking place.
“We have been discussing how he’d come back and I’d definitely love that,” adds Mark.
“If I got the opportunity, I would bite your hand off. This is one of the favourite gigs I’ve ever done.”
Emmerdale, ITV1, Monday to Friday.
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