At the start of the new series Rebus is facing difficult times having been sent to Police Training College as a result of his behaviour.

Ken Stott explains: “He is isolated on all sides in this episode and he tests people’s patience to the limit. It’s rather interesting how his relationship with Siobhan goes onto a knife edge but that the bond they share is much greater at the end of the day.”

And Ken is proud of what they achieve in Resurrection Men, the first episode in the series.

“It’s a departure from formulaic principles. We do try to steer away from the ordinary on Rebus because much of television does comply with these principles.”

Ken Stott has been taking things easy following nearly five months filming the new series of Rebus in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

After a month relaxing at his Italian second home in the idyllic Umbrian countryside he has now retreated to his new boat moored in the Isle of Skye.

“I have bought a motor boat but not the kind you might imagine – pointy at one end, white and only to be driven in sunglasses. This is a trawler design, built in the Isle of Lewis. Just a wee trawler but I love it,” sighs Ken.

“I have always loved boats and loved the sea. I had a plan when I was 15 to go, with my chum Neil Fraser, down to Southampton and catch a boat to Casablanca. We thought we’d peel potatoes on board then jump ship to a merchant vessel to the Caribbean where we’d fish and sell our catch at market and live on the beach. That was the plan but I’m still waiting to do it.”

However Ken admits he does catch the odd mackerel for tea.

“And nothing could be better than eating it on board your own trawler,” he adds. “I’m lucky, I’m a good sailor, I never feel sea sick.. Maybe that’s because my ancestors are from an island, Sicily and my great, great grandfather was a pescatore – a fish seller.”

Rebus returns on Friday 5 October 2007 9:00pm - 10:30pm on ITV1.