Jack Ryder and Paul Nicholas have joined the cast of upcoming ITV1 hospital drama The Royal Today.

The pair will begin filming with the daytime series when production stars in Yorkshire this summer.

Ryder, formerly of EastEnders, will play hard working and ambitious charge nurse Adam Fearnley. He is in a long-term relationship with colleague Heather - but student nurses nonetheless take a shine to him.

Nicholas will take up the role of Mr Woods - a meticulous and gruff consultant.

Executive producer Keith Richardson commented on the signings: “We are thrilled to have two such fantastic actors on board to join The Royal Today. The opening episode ends with a murder in the hospital, so there will be plenty to get viewers gripped right from the very
beginning."

Ryder added: “Adam is a great character and so different from my previous roles. I loved the scripts as soon as I read them and I’m really excited about the show. I can’t wait to start filming.”

Nicholas, who has now finished touring with Broadway hit 42nd Street, commented: “I’m delighted to be playing a consultant surgeon in a brand new daytime drama. It’s been a while since I’ve played a regular character and I can’t wait to get started.”

The show is due to hit screens later this year and 50x30-minute episodes have been commissioned.