FORMER Midsummer Murders star John Nettles has revealed why he chose to quit the show after 13 years in charge.
Although some time has passed since his exit, the actor has spoken out on why he decided to leave the show.
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John, 76, who played Tom Barnaby, made the tough choice to leave the show in 2009, with his final episode airing two years later.
His character’s cousin took over the reigns as the leading man.
Having begun his journey on the show from the very first episode of the crime drama back in 1997, it came as a shock to viewers when he took his leave.
But speaking to The Telegraph, John hinted at making the bold decision to leave because he didn’t want to overstay his welcome.
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He explained: “I suddenly realised that I’m going to be the oldest detective in the business now that David Jason has thrown off the mantle, but it was a very difficult decision to make.”
The former TV detective continued: “It has been a joy to be involved in such a long-running series with so many good actors and great storylines. It’s the end of an era for me.”
Despite the sadness that came with John’s decision to depart the crime drama, fans are still hooked as for the past ten years they have watched Barnaby’s cousin John step up and fill the very big shoes Tom left behind.
With the show beginning an impressive 21st series in January, John actor Neil Dudgeon spoke to Digital Spy about how much potential the show still has.
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He began: “It can be so varied. It can vary tonally. You’ve got a different setting every week.”
“You’ve got a largely different cast every week. You can have a darker episode, a more serious episode. You can change everything about it.”
Neil, 57, added: “You can kind of put anything in there because of the breadth and the style of the show. If there’s a formula at all, it’s a very loose formula.
“So I think it’s got the potential to go on. It can keep re-energising itself,” he explained, so it doesn’t seem viewers are going to be disappointed by a cancellation any time yet.
