Simons was born on 17 November 1940 in Swansea where his father was stationed in the Second World War and he grew up in South Wales until the family moved to North London.
He then suffered from severe acne, which caused him to prefer working backstage as a stage manager for four years before deciding to become an adult actor.
Ventress is the longest serving officer for much of the drama and occasionally in a role as acting sergeant when Blaketon, Craddock and Merton are absent.
Simons was absent from only four episodes of Heartbeat throughout his entire stint playing constable Alf Ventress; these were during series three.
Simons also made guest appearances in Doctor Who: The Sun Makers,[1] Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Francis Storm Investigates, Coronation Street, The Sweeney, Minder as 'Pongo' Harris, Dempsey & Makepeace, Give Us a Break, The Darling Buds of May, Wish Me Luck, Bergerac, Casualty, The Bill, Lovejoy, Enemy at the Door and Rumpole of the Bailey.