Heartbeat actor Bill Maynard starts music career aged 84

Bill Maynard - known for TV hits such as Heartbeat and Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt - who is celebrating six decades on TV by releasing a single at the age of 84. (PA)

Actor Bill Maynard - known for TV hits such as Heartbeat and Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt - is celebrating six decades on TV by releasing a single at the age of 84.

The veteran star has recorded a version of "What A Wonderful World" which he is releasing on iTunes today to coincide with the 60th anniversary of his first TV appearance.

Maynard, who has also clocked up appearances in Carry On movies and comedy series The Gaffer, has made a number of recordings over the years and was an entrant in 1957 hoping to win the chance to represent the UK at Eurovision.

He made his first appearance on TV in the BBC's Face The Music on 12 September 1953, although he began performing even earlier.

He said: "I have been making music for many years and I thought "What A Wonderful World" was a great way to put into words how lucky I feel to have been working in television for 60 years. Making people laugh and smile brings me a lot of personal satisfaction."

He went on: "I am delighted to be still in the entertainment industry doing what I love most - 76 years since I began my career. I have had an amazing career and I consider myself to be very lucky to still have the energy and enthusiasm to take on new work.

In the 1970s he was known for his role as the bumbling title character in sitcom Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt and in the 1990s became known for his role as Greengrass in nostalgic drama Heartbeat.

Maynard is currently working on a new film Broken Nation, a post-apocalyptic drama being filmed in London and Cumbria.

Director Rick Macleod said: "He brings great gravitas to the film and remains a truly remarkable performer."

PA