John Nettles has admitted that he decided to quit ITV’s Midsomer Murders as he doesn’t want to end up as TV’s oldest cop.

Nettles admitted that once David Jason quit ‘A Touch of Frost’ he felt compelled to follow suit.

John told The Sun: “I have been doing it for 13 years, and that’s a long time.

“Now David Jason has thrown off his mantle as Frost I realised I would be the oldest detective in the business.

“People are dying around me and so before the grim reaper comes knocking on my door I want to try some other things.”

He also admitted that he is looking forward to getting some more action during his time off saying: “It will be lovely to get back home for a while. My wife is delighted. It did get to the stage that I had more bed scenes with Joyce Barnaby than those in real life.”

Nettles believes Midsomer Murders can carry on without him. He said: “I can think of 12 actors who could do the part very well. I see it going on for many years. The new lead has to be a sympathetic character. You can’t have an abrasive one.”