A spin-off from Heartbeat set in nearby Aidensfield, The Royal has proved a firm favourite with viewers, with an average of more than eight million people tuning into series six episodes. And there was plenty to keep them entertained. Dr Mike Banner (played by The Bill's Sam Callis) arrived as Dr Goodwin's replacement, but his maverick approach didn't impress Dr Ormerod (Robert Daws).

Elsewhere, hospital administrator Adam Carnegie (Robert Cavanah) was forging ahead with plans to build a new hospital wing � but there were soon doubts over what he was doing with the Trust's money. While The Royal always puts the needs of its patients first, many of its loyal staff suffered emotional turmoil in series six. As Nurse Stella Davenport (Natalie Anderson) was trying to piece her life back together following her rape ordeal, she welcomed a new roommate in the shape of Nurse Marian McKaig (Kari Corbett). And, as series six drew to a close, Jill Weatherill (Amy Robbins) discovered she was pregnant. But when she began to suffer complications, Ormerod feared for his wife and their unborn child.

Series seven literally comes back with a bang when an early morning commuter train derails. Nurse Marian is conscious, but trapped and soon discovers that a fellow passenger is The Royal's new locum, Dr Nick Burnett (Damian O'Hare). Marian and Nick battle to save other commuters � but when fumes fill the broken carriages there are fears that no one will make it out alive...

As the series progresses, Nick tries to settle into life at the The Royal while Ormerod worries that Jill has returned to work too soon following a major operation. There will be some surprise new arrivals in Elsinby � and a familiar face will be saying farewell.

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