Ben Caplan has quit 'Call the Midwife'.
Ben Caplan
The 42-year-old actor has portrayed PC Peter Noakes, who is married to Miranda Hart's Camilla 'Chummy' Fortescue-Cholmeley-Browne, in the period drama since its first episode in 2012 but has now decided to step away in order to explore other things.
He said: "I'm taking a break to concentrate on other things ... It's been lovely to have been there since the beginning, an amazing roller coaster ride, and I'm honoured to have been part of the whole journey, but there comes a point six years down the line that, as an actor, it's good to keep my foot in with the theatre world and exploring other roles.
"Much as I love playing Peter Noakes, it's great to go off and play some more edgy characters and show a little bit more diversity."
However, Ben has teased that bosses have left the door open for him to return and he's almost certain that he and Miranda will make an appearance later on down the line.
He explained to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The door is very much open for both myself and Miranda and I'm sure we'll make an appearance again."
Miranda's alter-ego Chummy was written out of the fourth series when she landed a major role alongside Melissa McCarthy in the blockbuster 'Spy' in 2015.
The 44-year-old comedian was meant to make a return in the festive special but she was forced to pull out at the last minute because was "too ill" to shoot the scenes.
She also had to turn down the chance to star in the remake of the classic 'Up Pompeii' for the BBC's Sitcom Season last year due to the illness and, as a result, it was scrapped.
Miranda was also thought to be presenting the remake of 'The Generation Game', which was again put on hold, and she had to pull out of hosting the 'Royal Variety Performance'.
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