Midsomer Murders star says he'll never watch ITV show again for specific reason

Former Midsomer Murdersstar John Nettles has disclosed he has no desire to watch the beloved detective TV programme again for a particular reason.

The 81 year old actorplayed Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby in the popular ITV crime series, which initially launched in 1997. John also featured inBBC's crime drama Bergerac, where he played the lead character, from 1981 to 1991.

However, his background in detective programmes has discouraged him from viewing Midsomer Murders, as the performer explained he "doesn't want to see another actor pretending to be a dead body" following years of doing precisely that.

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Speaking to The Times, John remarked: "No, I don't watch. I've seen every trope, every curiosity, every plot manoeuvre that belongs to the genre, over and over and over again.

"I never want to see another actor pretending to be a dead body. It's just too much. I've done it for so many years, for days and months at a time, 24/7, more or less."

He likened his involvement in TV shows such as Midsomer Murders to "building a wall", explaining it is constructed "very carefully" because "you don't want to go back and watch other people building it".

John suggested that Midsomer Murders attracted audiences due to the "extraordinary murders" that could render the crimes "totally unreal", reports the Manchester Evening News.

The performer also discussed contemporary detective dramas, condemning the level of violence against women featured in certain programmes. "I tell you what is awful is the obligatory appearance of the tortured woman, the raped woman, the murdered woman," he said.

"Jesus, God. It's very difficult to do that stuff and to use it as a bit of plot line. It gets worse and worse and worse."

Following John's departure from Midsomer Murders in 2011, Neil Dudgeon stepped into the role as DCI John Barnaby, portraying Tom's younger cousin.

Meanwhile, Bergerac is set for a revival with a fresh reboot arriving on U later this month.

Actor Damien Molony has assumed the lead role, though John declined the opportunity for a cameo appearance in the new series.

Midsomer Murders is available to watch on ITVX