Character: Reverend Iain Stewart
Actor: Stephen Moore
Episode: Eagle Day
Stephen Moore used his memories of the bombing of London to prepare for his role in Foyle's War.

"My dad was in the RAF so we followed him around the country to air force bases. But before he joined up we lived in Soho, where he was an air raid warden. I was in London for a bit of the bombing, but it was more exciting than frightening for me, because I felt protected.

"It helped for Foyle's War, because I knew how people would be feeling and how they would react. Even though I was only six when the war ended, I can remember what people were going through in those days."

Stephen plays Iain Stewart, father of Foyle's (Michael Kitchen) driver Samantha (Honeysuckle Weeks).

"Iain is artistic and athletic but decided to become a vicar. He's very busy because people turn to the church at times of war. He's not a Victorian father to Sam, but he worries about girls in uniform getting into difficulties, as he puts it.

"Sam is modern in her views and in her job, and he finds it hard to cope with. His wife is ill so he tries to persuade Sam to come back. But she is pretty resolute about wanting to stay with Foyle. It was great to play those scenes with Honeysuckle. She is quite special - a real find, and in her uniform she looks just the part."

The character of Iain Stewart is quite a contrast to Stephen's ongoing role as Chief Constable Mike Bishop in Merseybeat.

"Bishop is a chauvinist and not a very nice guy. It's good to play the nasty parts but Iain is a nice gentle contrast. He doesn't stop Sam from being a free woman out of nastiness - he is just concerned."

Stephen is an accomplished theatre actor and his other screen credits include Adrian Mole, The Peter Principle, The Queen's Nose, The Missing Postman, Harry Enfield, Downwardly Mobile, Lives of Animals, Silent Witness, Sharpe, Clockwise and A Bridge Too Far. He also appears in Jack Rosenthal's new drama Ready When You Are, Mr McGill.

September 2002; Publicity Release