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Bryan Dick, who plays the laid-back and mysterious new curate Jake, relished the opportunity to be part of such a large cast.

"What really appealed to me instantly is that it was a big ensemble piece, and the characters all have a kick of the ball in the script," he says. "I am a big fan of Debbie Horsfield, and the script is both funny and touching."

Jake is more of an observer to the singing that takes place in the drama, something Bryan was quite relieved about!

"My character doesn't get involved in the singing – so I loved the fact that there was music involved in the drama but was also quite chuffed that I didn't have to do any of it!

"Jake sees that music is something that gives these people hope, and he wants to leave it to them. He prefers to facilitate rather than participate!"

Bryan describes Jake as "an unlikely curate with a past. He's a maverick, he's not a conformist, and he wants to shake things up a bit."

Upon arriving in the town where Esther (Sarah Lancashire) and Michael (Neil Pearson) live, Jake finds an almost instant bond with Esther.

As Bryan explains: "When Jake meets Esther he recognises in her the drive to do the same kind of things that he wants to do – change things, and have an impact on the community. Before meeting Jake, Esther's been quite repressed – Jake wants to help her to do the things he knows she's capable of."

When asked what he thinks will appeal to audiences about the series, Bryan says: "I think people will enjoy the music, as music is a universal language.

"There are some wonderful warm characters that people will identify and fall in love with. It's just really well-written, feel-good TV."