EastEnders star Larry Lamb has joined the cast of New Tricks as Dennis Waterman’s replacement.

The crime drama will return to BBC One for a twelfth season next year, opening with “an explosive two part story” that will see Waterman’s character, Gerry Standing, depart the show.

New Tricks began in March 2003 and Waterman is the only remaining member of the original cast.

Lamb will make his debut in Episode 2 as ex-copper Ted Case, alongisde Tamzin Outhwaite, Denis Lawson and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Best known for his roles as Mick in Gavin & Stacey and Archie Mitchell in EastEnders, Lamb commented: “I’m thrilled to have been asked to join such a well-loved show. The writing and the cast are top notch and I’m really looking forward to getting started.”

Executive producer Myar Craig-Brown added: “Larry is a fantastic addition to the show and Ted Case will slot in perfectly with Sacha, Steve and Dan in the UCOS team. The stories for series 12 are absolutely classic New Tricks – a mix of gripping whodunits solved by witty, likeable characters that the audience can root for and identify with.”

Season 12 is filming now.

Are you looking forward to Season 12? Let us know below…