Andy Dalziel

Dalziel is blunt-talking, politically incorrect, and can be very insensitive. He's from the old school of policing, in complete contrast to his younger side-kick, the fast-track university educated Pascoe.

"Dalziel is a perfect pig. He's vulgar, loud and rude," says actor Warren Clarke. "But he is in fact also a great humanitarian and he gets very good results.

Dalziel has been forced to confront the health problems caused by years of unhealthy living, including heavy drinking. He's also trying to come to terms with the death of his sister.