Let's make this birthday one to remember.

51 years old (Born on September 12, 1973)

Happy Birthday, Darren! May your cake be baked at exactly 55 degrees north—because with DS Patrick Yates on the case, who needs tricky geography anyway? Your portrayal of everyone's favorite detective has us convinced you could solve anything—even where we lost our TV remote.

From gritty crime scenes to unforgettable screen moments you've given audiences plenty to cheer about (and occasionally laugh out loud). Here's hoping today brings countless smiles and laughter equal only in number to all those dramatic pauses you've perfected onscreen.

Keep charming and sleuthing through life as splendidly as ever—you legendary scene-stealer! Cheers!