Gareth Hale to appear on The Royal

13 September 2007 - Comedian Gareth Hale is set to join the cast of ITV1 drama The Royal.

The 54-year-old comedy veteran will take the role of Jack Bell, a former Merchant Navy officer who becomes a porter at St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital.

His character's cousin, Ken Hopkirk (played by Michael Starke of Coronation Street), will leave the hospital to follow his dream of operating a bed and breakfast in Torquay and Jack will take over his job.

Hale said of his upcoming role: "I'm really excited about joining the cast of The Royal. It's a fantastic show and I love my character. I think Jack's got the potential to get himself into some mischief."

Meanwhile, The Royal producer Ken Horn said that the comedian will be "a great addition to the cast". He also predicted that the Jack Bell character will be a fan favourite.

Hale is known for being half of the popular comedy duo Hale and Pace with his partner Norman Pace.

He has also appeared in a number of TV programmes, including Pushing Up Daisies and Jobs for the Boys, as well as acting in the original dramatisation of Dalziel and Pascoe.

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