The BBC has announced that actor Paul Nicholls will be joining the cast of medical drama Holby City.

Nicholls, who was last seen in ITV1's Law & Order: UK, will play experienced male nurse Simon Marshall in the drama series, a character unafraid to stand up to his superiors.

In a statement Nicholls said: “I’m delighted to be joining as a guest on Holby City, it’s a programme I’ve always admired and I'm thrilled to be part of this particular storyline. Simon is a confident guy and is sure to be in his element. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Holby’s executive producer, Jonathan Young, expressed his satisfaction with the casting, saying: “Paul is an actor with a fantastic pedigree and we are delighted he’ll be joining Holby City for a few months. I can’t give too much away at the moment, but his character is definitely going to have an impact and ruffle a few feathers.”

As well as Law & Order: UK, Paul Nicholls has appeared in numerous other series, including EastEnders, Midsomer Murders and Secret Diary of a Call Girl.