A dog called Dripping sniffs out TV stardom

Newfoundland dog Dripping, who lives with his owner Karen Swarbrick, will appear with former Dr Who Peter Davidson in The Last Detective, based on the novels of Leslie Thomas.

The seven-and-a half-year-old, nine-stone canine will be the trusty companion of policeman 'Dangerous' Davies, played by Davidson, who becomes involved in a major murder case.

The actor and Dripping immediately got on. Karen said: 'Peter was wonderful with Dripping. Whenever we were busy doing other things he would hold on to him. When we first arrived on set he just came up to Dripping and said "This is my dog" - there was an instant friendship.'

Like all Newfoundland dogs Dripping drools all the time. This and his colouring inspired his name. But Peter, who played a vet in All Creatures Great and Small, had no qualms about wiping up after the slobbering pooch.

Karen's previous Newfoundland dog Lumper also had a brief career as an animal actor, appearing in comedy series Keeping up Appearances and a Disney film called Stick with me Kid. Dripping has also appeared in the comedy Two Point Four Children.

However, his boisterous behaviour has led him to being likened to a big, clumsy lager lout. As a result Karen doesn't have too many knick-knacks on display in her home.

She said: 'I don't have any ornaments. Dripping is trained to jump up on his back legs and is quite bouncy and has a very big tail which swishes about.'

The Last Detective premieres today (Friday) on ITV, at 9pm.