His last TV acting gig might have been four years ago, but actor Nick Berry has turned down the chance to return to Heartbeat. The offer was for a special one-off appearance as part of character PC Phil Bellamy’s exit plot. Berry formerly played PC Nick Rowan (pictured right with former co-star Niamh Cusack as Kate) in the sleepy Sunday night nostalgia-fest, and enjoyed seven years on the show from 1992 to 1998 before his character emigrated to Canada.

An ITV source reveals: “We tried to persuade Nick to return for Bellamy’s exit but he declined. We thought it would be a good idea as Bellamy and Rowan were pals when the show started in 1992. Nick didn’t want to do it as he’s busy with his production company and he’s happy doing that.” The new series of Heartbeat begins next month and will see a new bobby on the beat to replace the departing Bellamy.

[via The Sun]