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A tragic car accident prevented Dan from ever knowing his biological father, Mark Hebden, but with Shula's marriage to Alistair in 1998 Dan gained an adoptive father.

He showed an early interest in caring for animals, like Alistair, but then as a teenager he became keener to follow his natural father and grandfather into the legal profession. However, Dan turned his back on this (and shocked his mum Shula) to do something he felt would be more worthwhile - a career in the armed forces.

• Likes - the Army life, cricket, riding
• Dislikes - Fishing
• High - Training for a career in the Army

• Shula Hebden Lloyd (Mother)
• (Father by adoption)

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Dan is Will Howard's second role in The Archers. He had one appearance as Rick, an interior designer in June 2013.

Will spent the first 12 years of his life in Warrington, until moving on to Malaysia, Vietnam and finally Singapore. After studying Drama at Exeter University, he went on to train at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. It was during his time here that he first had the opportunity to get in front of a microphone and explore radio as a medium.

Many more opportunities have arisen since then, as he was a winner of the Carleton Hobbs Award 2012. As a result, he spent eight months on the ±«Óãtv Radio Drama Company and has performed in over 60 radio plays for the ±«Óãtv.

As a young boy Will would spend a lot of time ‘pretending’: dressing up at any given opportunity (in male or female clothing); trying to mimic the voices of teachers, friends and TV characters as well as writing short stories and performing them to whoever would listen (usually his Great Aunt’s American cocker spaniel).

Since then, Will has enjoyed a multitude of roles in theatre, television and radio and is excited to carry on learning and growing in what he believes to be the best job in the world.

When not acting, Will enjoys eating full English breakfasts, watching Man Utd and listening to Bob Marley.

My favourite Archers moment so far is Shula meeting Dan at the airport. For the last six years my parents have lived a 13 hour plane journey away. So I know exactly how it feels to see the woman you owe everything to waiting at arrivals, after not seeing her for such a long time. Always a very special moment.

Performing at the Edinburgh Fringe is always a wonderful experience. My favourite experience there was playing Jimmy in Simon Stephens’ Bluebird, which was such a privilege as I am a big fan of his writing. The experience was made even sweeter by the fact that Simon came to watch. He subsequently bought me a pint and wrote me a reference to drama school on the back of it. A very memorable day.

Another highlight for me was playing the role of Billy in Kes at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter. Performing Billy’s final monologue aimed at his father on the last night was a very special moment for me, as my own dad had surprised me by flying over from Korea to watch the final performance.

• Actor -ÌýIt changes every 5 minutes!
• Book -ÌýI have recently read a book called The Etmylogicon, which is about the history and development of words and language. It has completely changed the way I look at language as a tool and as an art form.
• Film -ÌýTough. But I think I’ll go with Gladiator. Epic and human in equal measure.