Midsomer Murders fans stunned by shock crossover with rival ITV show
TV legend Kevin Whately wowed Midsomer Murders fans with a special appearance.
The Inspector Morse and Lewis star joined the Midsomer Murders cast for the shows 50th episode.
Taking on the role of murder suspect Jeremy, Kevin shocked fans by gracing their screens, with many flocking to social media to share their excitement.
One exclaimed: “So… when worlds collide; Inspector Lewis in Midsomer Murders. It was bound to happen sooner or later given the number of strange and bizarre deaths in this otherwise quiet corner of Oxfordshire.”
A second gushed: “Fabulous collection of musical theatre actors in tonight’s Midsomer Murders and the universe-bending inclusion of Lewis aka Kevin Whately. Excellent fun.”
A third penned: “My brain is not computing Lewis appearing in Midsomer Murders.”
“They can’t kill Lewis,” chimed in a fourth.
The episode was originally removed from the schedule in January to make room for ITV’s famous interview with Prince Harry, in which he took aim at the royal family.
Titled “For Death Prepare”, the episode attracted Kevin because of it’s connection to the much-loved musical duo Gilbert and Sullivan.
He explained: “I’m a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, some of the music is sublime and of course the lyrics are hilarious – I played Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore years ago and that’s the reason I did this particular episode of Midsomer.”
The star went on to say: “It seemed like great fun, all of us having a little sing. I’ve done a lot of musical theatre – I did Gypsy with Imelda Staunton a couple of years ago – music interests me much more than acting these days.
Kevin spoke of his character, who was a member of an amateur operatic group The Midsomer Mummers and an old friend of Sarah Barnaby’s, stating: “Jeremy is a pillar of the community, a retired head teacher, and everyone respects him.”
He continued: “He is quite bitter about a split from his wife – he was obviously quite a controlling husband and father… He still wants control over the daughter who is the apple of his eye.”
The star also spoke of the detective cross-over, gushing: “It was great working with Neil Dudgeon [DCI John Barnaby] and comparing notes – it can be quite a lonely job leading a detective series because everyone depends on you so heavily. It is damned hard work.”