New bobby to join 'The Bill' beat

A new police constable, played by Micah Balfour, is joining The Bill.

The actor will become a full-time cast member following a one-off stint as a drug dealer last year.

From October he will play PC Benjamin Gayle. He will be a "good cop with a good heart" - but with some emotional problems.

"I was over the moon because I really enjoyed my time here when I came in before," Balfour explained of the news. "My mum’s also ecstatic because now I’m playing a character she can be proud of instead of the drug dealer or the gangster."

He said of his character: "He’s a really good cop with a really good heart. He likes to help people, especially those he feels are victimised or not given a chance. He’s got a distinct sense of right and wrong and a high moral standard.

"He has anger management issues so he faces a constant battle to control his reactions. It gets him into a bit of bother. I could see him clashing with Sergeant Stone. They could come to loggerheads in the future."