Heartbeat: The Complete Series 1 (DVD)

Set during the 1960s in the fictional North Yorkshire village of Aidensfield and initially starring former EastEnder Nick Berry as PC Nick Rowan, this enduringly popular series interweaves crime and medical storylines, with a host of colourful characters that viewers took to their hearts, and a wonderfully nostalgic soundtrack. Heartbeat ran for 18 series between 1992 and 2010, rapidly becoming staple Sunday-night viewing and winning several prestigious television awards - including Best Performing Peak-Time Drama in 1999 (beating Coronation Street), and a number of ITV Programme of the Year awards. Attracting a peak audience of 14 million and spawning a highly successful spin-off, The Royal, and a Top Ten hit single, the series has garnered a devoted following and remains prime-time viewing world-wide. Heartbeat is available here for the first time on DVD. This first series sees Nick and his doctor wife Kate (Niamh Cusack) settling in Aidensfield, having left the bustle of London behind. As villagers' initial suspicion gives way to acceptance, the couple become increasingly involved, both professionally and personally, in the daily life of the rural community. Bill Maynard also stars as the irrepressible Claude Jeremiah Greengrass, with guest appearances from, among others, Philip Glenister, Annette Crosbie, Eleanor Bron, John Duttine and Elizabeth Spriggs.