Dave gives it a little bit extra.

Heartbeat extra Dave McSweeney

DAVE McSweeney spent 30 years in the police force before retiring.

Now 50, he regularly does scenes as a TV extra.

"TV companies like to have retired police officers as extras, mainly because we look like policemen, are punctual and disciplined and are used to keeping alert after long waits outside crown courts.

"I usually get a phone call and meet up with other extras. This particular day we had to go to Farsley Studios in Leeds where interiors are filmed, another 36 retired police officers were already there.

"There were two buses waiting for us which took us up to Goathland in the North Yorkshire Moors.

"A base unit is set up with caravans for the main stars and catering trucks where we are provided with breakfast.

"The assistant director greets us and signs us in, then we go to costume where there's a police outfit already waiting with our names on - they take all our measurements beforehand.

"Make-up isn't an issue because we're outdoors, sometimes we have to have some done indoors to cover redness.

"After changing we are then bussed to a location which might be 3 to 4 miles away.

"We'll do some scenes down in the valley, before returning for lunch early afternoon.

"Lunch is served after the actors and crew have had theirs.

"The stars are really down to earth, but the etiquette is you don't talk to them first just out of courtesy, they could be practising their lines.

"A photo is taken of you in dress for continuity purposes, to make sure if filmed on different days you're wearing the same stuff.

"Because of the scenes we were filming this particular day it ran into early evening and it was freezing up on the moors.

"My day can start at 6am and finish at 11pm. It's not always like that though.

"I've done scenes in Emmerdale, Heartbeat, Fat Friends, Silent Witness and a drama about the 1984 miners strike called Faith."

Dave's also done 12 days on a police series called The Ghost Squad, a hard-hitting police drama due to be screened on Channel 4.

"They're not big parts, you're mainly in the background and it's exciting and good fun.

"We often meet up with former colleagues and reminisce.

"I've become a member of Equity now, mainly for insurance purposes.

"One scene I had to put to the floor a 16-stone ex-professional boxer. He was non compliant - it took 20 takes, 10 without a safety net and 10 with, I was battered and bruised.

"Also if a director wanted an extra to say something he would probably choose a member of Equity first.

"I enjoy not knowing what's required of me and meeting up with former colleagues.

"It can get a bit frustrating if your left sat around for hours on end and nobody tells you what's going on.

"It is surreal seeing yourself on TV, though.

"If you get to drive a police car or firearms are needed, it's regarded as special skills and you get paid extra money."

Dave also works as a DJ at weddings and parties where he's known as AGGA DAVE.

In the past he has done charity work for children and gained the British Empire Medal in the 1991 New Year's honours list. At present he also helps out the RSPCA by catching wild cats.