MICHAEL GARNER & HELEN ANDERSON. FEBRUARY 26TH - MARCH 3RD.

BURNING LOVE. PEARCE MARRIES FIONA... AT LAST!

BURNING PASSION. BLUE WATCH'S POISON PEARCE AND FIONA FINALLY TIE THE KNOT.

What a flaming miracle! London's Burning grouch Poison Pearce is finally saying " I do".

After weeks of will - he - won't - he suspense, Blue Watch's most unpopular crew member is marrying his school teacher girlfriend Fiona. She was the one who proposed to Geoff and did all the clashing to get him to accept.

But actor Michael Garner, who plays Pearce, claims his character is not as poisonous as he's painted.

Michael, 44, says: " He's not malicious. He's a confirmed bachelor with his dog and his routine. Now he can't believe that someone can love him unconditionally".

Helen Anderson, who plays Fiona, says: " I really admire her courage. I'd like to be able to think I'd be able to propose but it would take a lot of confidence. But Fiona really loves Geoff. He has a big heart and she needs to feel safe and secure".

After a stag night complete with a stripper, Hyper takes a drunk Pearce home. But when he finds Fiona in what looks like a clinch with one of her female students, they have a huge row and then Pearce storms out.

Emotions also ran high during filming of the wedding scenes. Helen, 37, says: " I did cry and it has made me think about marriage. But my dress was held up with tape and I had a plaster on my ankle where my shoes had rubbed, so it wasn't that romantic!"

Michael was also touched by the big day but it hasn't persuaded him to wed his long - time partner, Irish actress Paula Hamilton. He says: " We've always been happy and haven't felt the need to get married. That hasn't changed".

Helen first appeared in the show two years ago as Pearce's ill - fated date. She was amazed to get a call back from the show's bosses asking her to become his steady girlfriend.

She says: " I had no idea that he was known as Poison. It was a shock when I saw it on TV".

After seven years as grumpy Pearce, Michael hopes the relationship won't change him. He says: " One day you're rescuing a baby, the next you are having a domestic in the kitchen!"

Michael's kids Harry, eight, and Maeve, four, quite like seeing him on TV. But he says: " They'd be more impressed if I played for Tottenham".

Pearce's best pal used to be his dog Bruno. Michael says:" We only used him when he's in shots. My affectionate talking to him is often done by a bloke crouching on his knees".

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