The cast and crew of ITV1′s drama Heartbeat, are currently filming an episode for the forthcoming new series on location in Australia, according to ITV sources. The cast and crew began filming the Heartbeat special on Monday and expect to be in Australia for a fortnight.

Many of the show’s regulars such as Joe McFadden, Clare Wille and Lisa Kay are apparently hoping that the special episode will be the forerunner of a spin-off series, and who can blame them! If I had a choice between filming in Yorkshire or on the Gold Coast, I know I’d be right there hoping with them. Actually, I’d be bribing people, sleeping with people; whatever it took really.

Joe McFadden, who plays PC Joe Mason, told news.com.au, “We were over in a really interesting place last week near Casino which hadn’t changed much since the 1960s. Filming is going so well there is talk at the moment of perhaps doing a spinoff.” Yeah, keep hoping Joe…

Rumour has it that ex-Neighbours star Blair McDonough – who played Stu Parker – is to guest star in at least one episode. He’s set to play a character called Mick MacDonald who lures Rosie Cartwright, played by Vanessa Hehir, from her Yorkshire home to live with him in Oz. Ooh er Missus!

Series eighteen is due to air next year on ITV1 but the exact start date is yet to be confirmed.