A pub garden in Midsomer just after noon yesterday.
John Nettles and executive producer Brian True-May were there to talk about two new Midsomer Murders films.
Along with John’s decision to quit – and the announcement this autumn of his successor.
Brian confirmed that Det Chief Insp Tom Barnaby will not be killed off when his final episode is shot next summer.
With John’s final day of filming in Midsomer due to be Aug 19 2010.
Work has already started on series 13, which will keep Barnaby on screen in new episodes well into 2011.
But at the same time, a new leading man is already waiting in the wings.

Brian revealed: “We do have someone in mind.”
Adding that the new character was “95 per cent” cast, ahead of an announcement, currently due to be made in October.
John said that he had been thinking of retiring from the role for some time.

Finally taking the decision last year.
I asked him if it had been a difficult one to make.
“It’s been something I’ve been considering ever since series 10, to be honest with you,” he replied.
“The clock keeps ticking, you see, and there are other things I want to do. 13 years is a long, long time.
“People are dying around me and I have a very advanced sense of mortality.
“Before the grim reaper comes knocking on my door, I want to try some other things.
“I want to do a bit more stage. That’s really what I want to do. I see myself spending my twilight years on the boards somewhere.
“And I also want to do a bunch of documentaries.”
Starting with a return to the island where he first made his TV name as Jim Bergerac.
“In a sense, I’m going home. I’m doing a series on the occupation of Jersey.”
Brian told us that filming John’s farewell episode next year was complicated by the fact that Midsomer is repeated so many times both here and all over the world.
With films often shown out of their original order.
So there won’t be any dramatic departure for Tom Barnaby.
Although Brian hasn’t ruled out filming a “retirement” episode finale for the UK and a “normal” ending for international use.
John said: “I think he’ll probably just fade away, as old coppers do. And like old actors do too.”
And the future for a post-Nettles Midsomer Murders?
“I see it carrying on very well – I see it going on for many, many years without me.”
*The two new Midsomer Murders films are due to be screened on ITV1 next month.
Update: Midsomer Farewell
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