Back from the DEAD!

Ghosts favourite Jim Howick on how his latest role is worlds away from Button House...

- REBECCA FLETCHER

HOLLINGTON DRIVE

WEDNESDAY / ITV / 9PM / EP 3 of 4 / DRAMA

After three series of playing jolly Scoutmaster specter Pat Butcher in hit sitcom Ghosts, actor Jim Howick is enjoying showing fans a completely different side to him in mystery drama Hollington Drive.

‘I think people are surprised to see me in a straight role,’ chuckles Jim, 42, who plays Detective Sergeant Parks, a policeman investigating the disappearance of a young boy in the ITV series, which continues this week. ‘I just hope fans like it!’

Here, in an exclusive interview, Jim tells TV Times more...

It must be nice to play a character who’s alive for a change, Jim!

Ha – it is! I often play larger-than-life, caricature people, so it’s nice to have a role that requires you to quietly fizz under the surface and not explode into a ball of energy.

What’s your take on DS Parks?

I was told he was a slovenly cop who doesn’t look after himself and is the kind of guy who makes his own sandwiches in the car!