Refreshed and revitalised, 14 - year - old firefighting saga London's Burning returns toour screens, welcoming a host of new faces to Blackwall station, while saying farewell to one of it's best - loved characters.
Stuart 'Recall' Mackenzie, played by Ben Onwukwe, bows out after 10 years on the show, suffering a fatal heart attack.
For Ben, 44, the decision came as something of a blow. "It was a bit of a shock to begin with, to say goodbye to something that has meant so much to me over the past 10 years, but you've got to move on eventually," he sighs. "The programme decided it was time to rejuvenate and I'm one of the heads they've moved on."
In the first episode, Recall reveals he has a weak heart, and realises all too late that he can't keep up the pace.
"Fire station drills prove too much for him," says Ben. "He used to be the one racing up and down ladders, leading everyone, but after a daring rescue of a young child, he starts wheezing and spluttering, comes down and snuffs it."
And that's the end of Recall. "It's a shame as things were going so well for him," says Ben. "He was about to leave London and move to a country inn with his new bride Elaine (Sharon Duce).
"Then it goes pear - shaped. At least he gets the traditional firefighters' send - off."
And elsewhere at Blackwall, new Station Officer Mick Callaghan (Anthony Green) and reckless firefighter Frank Mooney (Tristan Gemmill) are awarded medals for their rescue of two people trapped inside their car in the Thames.
Ben, who lives in north London, with his teacher wife Patrice and children Maya, 14, and Leo, 12, is turning his back on the small screen for now. In September he's going to Middlesex University to train as a drama teacher.
"It's always been an ambition of mine, to give something back rather than just being a face on the telly," he says.
"It'll be a huge challenge. My wife was my inspiration, and it came to me while waiting around for the new series to get the go - ahead. I began to wonder what else I could do.
"I still hope to act a bit, and balance the two."
The show's ratings are not what they were. But hopefully this new look will restore things to their former glory. So what's been the problem?
"It got a bit soapy and lost that element of danger the fire service face," muses Ben. "plus there was a lack of investment in the show, different producers coming and going. But maybe that's about to change."
