Talk:Heartbeat (British TV series)

Johnny Byrne

Why isn't Johnny Byrne acknowledged as the creator here.--The Shadow Treasurer (talk) 03:17, 17 September 2009 (UTC)

Why is it called Heartbeat?

There has never been any obvious explanation as to why the show is called 'HeartBeat' - is it because he's 'on the beat'? but he's not called PC Heart, is he? Why is the show called Heartbeat?Magic Pickle 14:36, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

• According to the ITV website: "We agonised for a long time over the title because 'Country Constable' sounded like a painting... Eventually our Director of Programmes came up with the name Heartbeat, representing the bobby’s beat and the medical connotations of the word 'heart'" I have added a note to the article to this effect. Matt 13:19, 6 September 2006 (UTC).

But there is less of a medical connection since Berry's wife left / died, (whatever). Why didn't they just name it Constable? Magic Pickle 00:20, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps another reason why the series was named "Heartbeat" (referring to both the police and medical presence in the series) might have been because the original Police Constable in the series, Nick Rowan, was marred to a doctor, Kate Rowan. Figaro 07:57, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, that's exactly why it was named HeartBeat. However, Kate Rowan was only in a tiny percentage of episodes considering how many have since been made since she left. I believe the title should have been changed at that point. It was an obscure title anyway. Magic Pickle 17:08, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

The "medical connection" is still going strong. Since Kate Rowan's time there have been at least four more Aidensfield doctors - plus miscellaneous other medical workers - who have played central roles. And it would be silly to change the name of a successful show. Matt 23:59, 9 October 2006 (UTC).

So what? The doctors in Star Trek had prominent roles but the show wasn't named HeartTrek. Greengrass had a prominent role in HeartBeat but it wasn't called TrampBeat. If we're basing it on medicine why not BloodBeat, or LungBeat? It's a daft name for a series - it should have been named Constable. Magic Pickle 18:08, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

But the original premise was as a vehicle for Nick Berry as a Policeman, and Nimah Cusak as a Doctor. They were the two central characters when the series began, the only other one really being Blaketon. The others were more background characters. Even Greengrass didn't appear on a weekly basis in the beginning. Hence 'Heart' and 'Beat'. It would have been pointless to re-name a well established programme, and, as said, there has been a very strong medical presence throughout. Another unoffical idea is that as village bobby, Nick (and his successors) effectively keep their finger on the 'heartbeat' of village life. User:Jay Firestorm 18:58, 4 December 2006 (UTC).

But HeartBeat is such an oblique name for a show based on a doctor and a constable. You could rename Casualty 'heartbeat' or even The Bill 'HeartBeat' because as, city coppers, the team of The Bill keep their fingers on the 'heartbeat' of city life. Take 'the Royal' (a much more sensible name for a show - and a spinoff from Heartbeat at that) it wasn't named I dunno, HeartWatch or something. And I would argue, although the police presence is central to Heartbeat, the medical presence is much less, the police aspect was always greater - perhaps they should have just named it 'Beat' or 'Village Beat'. So the medical presence is much less now, requiring the need for a series name change. Again I would argue the medical presence wasn't as great as the police presence in the beginning anyway. Magic Pickle 15:46, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

From a modern search based point of view it is a lousy name. eg easy to find YouTube clips about Emmerdale but pretty impossible with Heartbeat, SqueakBox 16:21, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Ashfordly

Is that right in the first paragraph - fictional North Yorkshire town of Ashfordly, whose "patch" also includes the nearby village of Aidensfield, - I know the police house is in aidensfield, and that the police station is somewhere else, but I never knew that Ashfordly was the town... as far as I was aware, Ashfordly was the country estate and therefore the parish, but I'm sure I've never heard it mentioned as a town. I'm not going to change it because I'm not sure, but if somebody knows could they please confirm here please. Saccerzd 16:36, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

It is definitely a town. It is where the police station is. There is also a country estate called Ashfordly Estate, owned by Lord Ashfordly.

In the "Constable" books, Ashfordly is referred to as a/the town--TimothyJacobson (talk) 18:56, 2 January 2009 (UTC)

Characters' names

Has the first name of DI Shiner, Mrs. Ventress or Sgt Nokes ever mentioned? My friend insists that Sgt Nokes' first name is Jennifer and Phil Bellamys real first name is Phillip. Is that true? And what about other "real" first names? Crane's real first name was Stephen, Mike Bradley was Michael Dunstan Bradley, Gina is really Georgina, Rosie's real first name is Rosemary and Rob Walker is possibly Robert (Alf (Alfred Ventress?) and Oscar call him Bobby Walker in the beginning of 14th series). Correct me if I am wrong, if I am not then complete please.

Rosie's real name is definitely Rosemary as she is occasionally referred to as such, so I have added this one. Gina's real name was already mentioned. Though it seems very likely that Phil's real name is Phil(l)ip, and Rob's name is Robert, and Alf's is Alfred, I have never heard these mentioned, so I haven't changed these.

David called Phil as Philip in Season 15 Episode 12 Auld Acquitance.

At the weddings real names are uncovered. Mike was Michael Dunstan Bradley he married Jacqueline Rosemary Lambert.Rob was revealed as Robert in his wedding seremony but does anyone remember Nick's and Jo's wedding was there any name revelations.

No, that part of the service was not shown. EmleyMoor (talk) 11:11, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

In one episode (sorry I don't even remember which season) Oscar and Alf went to buy carpets from some Oscar's lady friend and she said something like "You must be Alfred, Oscar has told so much about you." When Walker appeared first episode of 14th season, Alf and Oscar called him Bobby Walker. Steve Crane once introduced himself as Stephen Crane.

Steve Crane introduced himself as Stephen first and only time in his very first episode.

Sergeant Nokes' first name is definetely Jennifer. Should it be added to the article part? Here in Finland is Heartbeat very popular and famous serie. Nokes' first name was said in her first episode (The seventh year itch) and it's Jennifer. You can check this detail for example in this page http://ohjelmat.info/tv/tiedot.tv?t=&s=&id=TV120050908003 or http://www.oho.fi/tvopas/?vw=channel&ch=tv1&dy=08.09.2005 and even if these program pages have been written in Finnish, those names "Jennifer Nokes" and also Bellamy are there where has been written "Sydämen asialla", which means "Heartbeat" in English.

Chronology

Although now "stuck" in 1969, I'm positive there was an episode where a character's wife died & he visited the grave, the grave clearly said 1970 for the year. This was around 3 or 4 years ago IIRC. Youreds91 09:58, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

Also, in one episode, Phil is holding a Spinners LP (The Spinners are in Town) which was released in 1970 - though that would only have been obvious to people who know that LP. EmleyMoor (talk) 15:34, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

In Series 9, Episode 17, the cheque for Greengrass' boarding house grant is typed in decimal currency, not introduced until 1971. This was also Sgt. Rowan's last episode, which is supposed to be in 1968. EmleyMoor (talk) 18:06, 8 June 2009 (UTC)

In season 4 episode 7 it should be 1968, but the man with amnesia who's case is the centerpiece of the episode is repeatedly presented as having been missing for the last 7 years. The date of his disappearance is given quite definitely as May 1958 - making it 1965.

Also, in season 2, there is an episode where Jethro Tull's "Living in the Past" is being played. This was released as a single in 1969. There is no prior release of that single and it was not released on an album until 1972. According to the chronology it could not have been later than 1965, given series 1 took place in 1964.66.57.60.99 (talk) 14:29, 2 November 2012 (UTC)

Re: Yoursed91's comment re the grave visit by Nick to his wife's grave: In Ep6 of Season 5, Nick visits his wife's grave and the stone says she died 28th February 196--- the final digit of the year is obscured by flowers. It states she was 30 years old. Possibly there's another grave visit scene in another season, but in this one, the stone clearly states 1960=something.66.57.60.99 (talk) 21:47, 3 November 2012 (UTC)

Ratings and viewing figures

Figaro, where did you get the idea that "ratings comments are considered as POV comments on Wikipedia and are not supposed to be mentioned in articles"? The first five popular TV programmes that came to my mind – The Simpsons, The X Factor, Who Wants to Be a Millionnaire, Coronation Street and Eastenders – all have information about ratings and/or viewing figures in the main article, so plenty of people clearly do not share that view. In my opinion the paragraph about ratings and viewing figures that I added to this article is perfectly legitimate and relevant factual information. I really don't understand why you have a problem with it, and I cannot agree that it belongs under "Trivia". Matt 16:40, 17 September 2006 (UTC).

Matt - it is not my own idea. The ratings and viewing figures have been removed from other articles by other people — and, the reason given by those people for edits, regarding ratings and viewing figures, is what I based my own comment and edit on. As you feel that the ratings and viewing figures are essential to the article, I will leave the information on the page - including its position on the page.

By the way, when you add references to the text of articles in future, could you please Wikify them (in the same way that I have done for your references - including creating a 'Reference' section etc.), so that I will not have to Wikify your references in future. Figaro 20:20, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

The Royal

Isn't the Royal a spinoff of Heartbeat? Kc4 22:38, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

Confirmed The Royal is a spin-off but isn't mentioned anywhere in the article. Kc4 22:41, 24 September 2006 (UTC)

When was the first connection between The Royal and Heartbeat? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 193.211.199.112 (talk • contribs) 08:45, 5 March 2007 (UTC).

According to the article - with the twelfth-series Heartbeat episode "Out of the Blue" serving as an introductory pilot for the show. Keith D 11:11, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

Trivia

Apparently, the choice of music is something of an 'in joke' at the company, and the rather corny choices are actually intentional humour. (i.e. anybody entering a clothes shop does so to 'Dedicated Follower of Fashion'; a suspect legging it across the moors always provokes 'Keep On Running' etc). 160.84.253.241 09:43, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

Dr James Alway

Could someone who remembers this doctor please write something about him. I am not even sure about his name but I remember one male doctor who was quite short time in the season 12. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 193.211.199.112 (talk) 06:56, 8 March 2007 (UTC).

He was played by Francis Matthews, he came in for a few episodes as a locum, when the previous incumbent managed to escape the show alive ;). He was a crossover character from The Royal. Youreds91 09:57, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

He resigned from the Aidesnfield surgery to concentrate on his work at the royal. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.159.53.144 (talk) 16:43, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

4.3 to 16:9

When did they start to make Heartbeat in aspect of 16:9 ? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 84.251.120.224 (talk) 20:03, 9 March 2007 (UTC).

Seasons from one to ten are made in 4:3 and from eleven to now they are in 16:9 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.105.96.124 (talk) 08:02, 27 April 2008 (UTC)

No - It went widescreen at the beginning of series 9. If you watch episodes currently on ITV 3 you'll see this. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.159.53.144 (talk) 16:42, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Heatbeat-Nick-Rowan.jpg

Image:Heatbeat-Nick-Rowan.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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Done.--UpDown (talk) 08:35, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

Railway stations

Several of the stations on the NYMR have appeared in Heartbeat:

Pickering, as "Crewe" in an episode in which Alf Ventress fell asleep on a train at what is implied to be Ashfordly. (Series 8, episode 21)
Levisham, as "Eltering" when a bomb was discovered on Alf's building plot. (Series 5, episode 12)
Goathland, of course, as "Aidensfield". That is well known.
Grosmont, as itself when Bernie Scripps took Claude's pigeons there (station name visible, series 8, episode 3), as an implied "Ashfordly" (but no name seen) in the same episode as "Crewe" appeared (series 8, episode 21), as a definite "Ashfordly" in series 9, episode 14, and as "Strensford" in at least two episodes, series 9, episode 8 being one of them.

There is also a station at "Ledby" in series 17, episode 17. I have not identified this one.

Without seeing every episode again, it would be difficult to track these, and other, appearances down. However, it may be an idea for a future section or article. EmleyMoor (talk) 15:35, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

There are only four stations on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway itself - it terminates at Pickering - travelling from Pickering, the next stop is Levisham, then Goathland (which is Aidensfield in the Heartbeat universe of floating time) with Grosmont at the other end, where it joins up with the Esk Valley Line - could be one of the stations on that line has doubled as other villages - can't remember all the stations - haven't travelled on that line since about 1979 or so - diesel trains have always ran along that line in my lifetime - until my nanna and auntie took us there for the day in 1977 or so, I had never seen a steam train, except in old films or modern films set in the past.

Arthurvasey (talk) 19:20, 9 July 2013 (UTC)

Time references

Time references in the series are rare, and don't fit together even when they do occur. Apollo 11 and steam trains is the well known case, but a stranger one occurred in series 7, episodes 16 and 17.

Episode 16, first aired on 21 December 1997, has a character getting a colour TV set in order to watch the Queen's message - it is a Christmas episode. Unless it was shown on BBC2 in 1967 or 1968, it would not have been possible to see it in colour until at least 1969. Reception in that part of Yorkshire would have been difficult but not impossible.

Episode 17, first aired on 4 January 1998, has PC Bradley writing a log relating to two men in custody. He dates the entries so as to show this as the night of 20-21 August, 1967. This episode was also Eileen's last appearance, and she was in the previous episode too. Unless Eileen was supposed to come back for Christmas that year, the events don't fit, time-wise. Furthermore, Nick, Jo and Katie left for Canada in 1968.

Of course, there is nothing other than PC Bradley's writing that implies a date, and nothing to say that the scenes weren't shot with a date in mind and then the order of things changed, and it in no way spoils the series. EmleyMoor (talk) 09:40, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

Accuracy check

In the main article, Alf Ventress is said to have an H registration Austin Allegro. This model of car was not made until 1973, so the car may have been an earlier model (Austin 1100/1300 perhaps). If it really was an Allegro, it is an anachronism. I will look at the car if I see the episode again but if someone else gets a chance first, I am sure any information would be welcome. EmleyMoor (talk) 10:32, 18 November 2008 (UTC)

The books

On the page, there is a reference to a Peter Walker who wrote the books under the name Nicholas Rhea. The Peter Walker disambiguation page (to which there is a link from the Heartbeat page) doesn't seem to mention him. Also, I have read one of the books, but am not sure if it is a true story or not. Can anyone please clarify--TimothyJacobson (talk) 18:56, 2 January 2009 (UTC)

Wow!

The show began in 1991, and some 17 seasons (totalling 354 episodes) have so far been aired. The 18th season is currently in production (and it is expected that, before actual cancellation, no less than 378 episodes will have been made). Now, the show is set in the 1960’s, in the (fictional) town of Ashfordly and the village of Aidensfield. Given that each episode typically covers a period of 3 to 7 days in supposed “real time”, this means that between 1134 to 2646 days are portrayed in the episodes combined. There are (roughly) 3650 days in a decade - so the small town of Ashfordly, and its nearby village of Aidensfield, have been blighted by crime and disaster throughout the 1960’s! Indeed, one can more or less expect a serious accident, a burglary, theft, rape or murder to occur at least once in every 3 day period in this town and village! Notwithstanding such record-high crime rates, this town and village are assigned only a few, low ranking police officers - rather than a permanently sited major incident unit. I just thought this astronomically high propensity towards crime and disaster should be pointed out. Simon P Blackburn (talk) 05:26, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

This observation true of many, many, shows. Emmerdale, Blue Heelers et al. Probably Edge of Night too. Format (talk) 03:00, 11 July 2009 (UTC)

Dear Mr Blackburn, I sincerely hope you never watch Midsomer Murders. You would probably have to drink a stiff brandy after that one! Cls14 (talk) 20:41, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Tractor accident on Heartbeat set

This tidbit while interesting smells of "Recentism" please consider historical content before adding events like this, if there was a list of every accident that happened on set I'm sure there would be enough to double the article. --99.231.218.253 (talk) 22:55, 3 April 2009 (UTC)

Military/police awards

the characters portraying the police sergeants are shown wearing medal ribbons - any means of identifying the actual medals displayed ? Alf Ventress also served during WW2 yet he was never portrayed wearing awards ????

Drenladem (talk)–~ —Preceding undated comment added 20:18, 25 April 2009 (UTC).

Blaketon's death?

On the synopsis for the final episode it says Blaketon is fatally injured and possibly won't survive. If he is fatally injured that would mean he doesn't survive (fatal means death). Sorry to clutter the pages up with this but I'm desperate to know if Blaketon is indeed fatally injured and dies?

The article needs some clarity on the fatal word. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.21.131.226 (talk • contribs) 11:05, 22 September 2009 (UTC)

PLEASE SOMEONE ANSWER US...WE NEED TO KNOW. DON'T KEEP MESSING WITH US I HAVE WATCHED HEARTBEAT SINCE THE BEGINNING AND AM A VERY STRONG FAN...I LIVED IN LEEDS YORKSHIRE UK AND HAVE BEEN LIVING IN CANADA NOW SINCE 1974 I WATCH MY TAPES OVER AND OVER AND I AM SO GLAD I HAVE THEM AS YOU DON'T SEEM TO CARE IF YOU PLEASE US OR NOT AS LONG AS YOU MAKE THE BIG BUCKS, FOR GOODNESS SAKE DO US A FAVOUR WHAT HAPPENED TO SEARGENT BLAKETON AND WERE THERE ANYMORE SERIES MADE AFTER HIS FATAL ACCIDENT....? WE HAVE KEPT YOU IN THE MONEY THROUGH WATCHING THIS SO THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS TELL US SOMETHING OR MAYBE YOU ARE ALL SO STUPID YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW.....FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME ANYTIME I AM WAITING janstuday@gedcke.org. 72.39.178.210 (talk) 21:12, 22 March 2011 (UTC)

I agree. I was disappointed by the ending of the very last episode. I thought parts of the storyline were rather dismal as well compared to the previous episode, which had more action and suspense. I'm not sure if we'll ever know whether Blaketon will survive. I read in a What's On TV magazine that someone had sent a letter to the "Have Your Say" page, titled "Where's the heart?" expressing their disappointment with the ending of the last Heartbeat epsiode. They also said that PC Joe Mason getting married to Nurse Carol Cassidy would've been a more heart-filled and developed ending. A reply had been printed next to the letter (only a small number of letters get those) which said, "ITV's decision to axe Heartbeat was sudden and there was no time for the writers to come up with a fully rounded and developed ending for the plot." I'm sure the writers didn't want to end the last epsiode the way it did. I think at least one more epsiode should be made, with PC Joe Mason getting married to Nurse Carol Cassidy at the end. And to top it off as a heart-warming effect, Blaketon could survive and join the other characters waving to PC Joe Mason and Nurse Carol Cassidy as they leave Aidensfield for their honeymoon. High Orbit (talk) 11:46, 6 June 2011 (UTC)

About Heartbeat shows in other countries

The list of Heartbeat episodes shown in other countries and the networks in those other countries have listed Canada as one of the countries showing episodes. However, there were 3 stations that showed Heartbeat, not 2. Saskatchewan public television showed episodes also. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Babs11b (talk • contribs) 01:32, 2 April 2012 (UTC)

Chronology and period detail

This section is all WP:OR of course, but just to add my thoughts. Episode 170, "Unchained Melody" includes a plotline about the establishment of a temporary postal service after Royal Mail goes on strike. This happened in 1971. Generally the series would appear to have generally followed real time until the end of series 10. The first Christmas episode was in 1994, which one can assume was supposed to be Christmas 1964, and so it continued. Series 11 then seemed to follow the "time out of time" format, where it became forever the 1960s. Paul MacDermott (talk) 12:50, 12 June 2013 (UTC)

This section is indeed all OR, and probably qualifies as fancruft. While some fans clearly enjoy spotting all the little clues on the DVDs, this is a piece of fiction and attempts to precisely correlate events in the fictional universe with those in the real world are futile. Extensive coverage of apparent anachronisms and continuity issues amounts to fan-based trivia.

Since it was tagged as OR in December 2012 no attempt has been made to address the issue - indeed editors have only exacerbated to the problem by adding even more detail. I am therefore removing the section entirely. Editors restoring any of this content should be prepared to provided sources to contend the OR allegation and a rationale for the importance of the material in the first place.TriumFant (talk) 08:15, 2 May 2014 (UTC)

Article series set-up

I have started a discussion on the set-up of the series articles for this programme at here. Please air your thoughts. Keith D (talk) 14:43, 10 February 2014 (UTC)

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