The second series of Ashes to Ashes draws to an end tonight on BBC One but will finish after its next it has been announced.

“Fans have theorised since Life On Mars and throughout Ashes To Ashes about who Gene Hunt actually is and what his alternative world really means,” said a spokesperson for the show. “The climax of series three will finally reveal all in a stunning finale.”

Simon Crawford Collins, executive producer at Kudos, said: “Will Alex make it back home, why is she living in this parallel ’80s world, what will become of bullish Gene Hunt and will we ever discover what actually happened to Sam Tyler? Viewers will not be left disappointed because the series promises to finish with a bang!”