DS Harry Metcalfe is the estranged husband of WPC Barbara Metcalfe, whom Eric Pollard had been having an affair with.
Harry first arrived in the village in his police car to watch Eric and Barbara's movements. He was spotted by Betty Eagleton and Viv Windsor, with Betty assuming that she was the one being watched. Betty brought him out a flask of tea and a piece of parkin, but he was annoyed that she was drawing attention to him and told her that she was jeopardising police work. Viv's husband Vic tried to convince Eric that he was being watched, but Eric didn't believe him, especially when he said that he got his information from Betty and Viv. Vic told him to look outside his house, but by the time Eric looked out the window, the police car had disappeared.
The next day, Barbara called to see Eric, who told her about the policeman outside his house. She looked out and was amazed to see that it is Harry. Eric was relieved and started to relax, kissing Barbara until Harry broke Eric's front door down and burst into the room. They started to fight and Eric threatened to call the police, but Barbara calmed them both down and Harry left. A week later, Harry returned with a message for Eric, but found Sam and Butch Dingle at the village hall shifting furniture. He threatened Butch, telling him to pass on the message about unfinished business. Harry waited for Eric and Barbara to arrive at the Woolpack, where he threatened Eric.
A week later, Harry returned and warned Eric that if he did not possess receipts for all the items in the village hall, he will be nicked. He continued to hound Eric, and a fight nearly broke out until Barbara arrived to stop them, telling Harry to leave Eric alone, but Harry continued to park outside Eric's house waiting for Barbara to emerge. Eric worried as Barbara got into Harry's car and agreed to talk to him. At first he was relived that she managed to get rid of Harry, but he was shocked when she revealed she was really just using him to get back at Harry and never intended for it to get too serious.
Ray Ashcroft played Harry, eight years before taking on his regular role of Ronnie Marsden.