Midsomer Murders fans distracted as they spot Kevin Whately in Inspector Morse crossover

Viewers of Midsomer Murders were in for a treat on Tuesday night as Kevin Whately graced the screen in a repeat episode.

The actor, renowned for his portrayal of Lewis in both Inspector Morse and its ITV sequel Lewis, stepped into the shoes of murder suspect Jeremy in the beloved John Barnaby saga.

No sooner had the episode begun than fans flocked to Twitter to express their excitement at the Inspector Morse crossover. @NickStevenson63 wrote: "So... when worlds collide; Inspector Lewis in Midsomer Murders. It was bound to happen sooner or later given the number of strange and bizarre deaths in this otherwise quiet corner of Oxfordshire."

@Suzy_H14 implored: "They can't kill #Lewis #MidsomerMurders."

@ghostheart__ observed: "Lots of Morse/Lewis links in this episode of #MidsomerMurders - firstly Kevin Whately who was obviously Lewis in Morse/Lewis, Jane Bertish who was in Morse episode 'The Wolvercote Tongue' and Alexander Hanson who was in Lewis episode 'Generation of Vipers'."

@dennison_shelly commented: "Fabulous collection of musical theatre actors in tonight's #MidsomerMurders and the universe-bending inclusion of Lewis aka Kevin Whately. Excellent fun."

"Lewis better not get killed off in tonight's #MidsomerMurders that'd just be too weird," tweeted @neiltheshaker.

@samjcstuff remarked: "My brain is not computing Lewis appearing in #midsomermurders."

Kevin Whately famously played Robert "Robbie" Lewis in Inspector Morse from 1987 to 2000, and reprised the role in Lewis from 2006 to 2015.

In a previous interview from 2023, Midsomer Murders' lead actors Neil Dudgeon and Fiona Dolman graced the This Morning sofa to discuss the show's milestone 50th episode.

The on-screen couple shared insights with hosts Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle about the series' enduring appeal.

"So what's the secret to your on-screen success?" Alison inquired, prompting Neil to quip: "Sexual chemistry."

He elaborated: "I think we've just got on very well right from the start, didn't we?"

"We did," Fiona concurred. "Neil was already cast, so I had an audition, and I had to go in and read with him.

"And yeah, I think we clicked right from the beginning.

"We've been doing it for 12 years now, which means all that initial anxiety you have as an actor when you're new to a show and have to feign a close relationship with someone you've just met, that's all dissipated now, hasn't it?".

"It's fantastic, I've always said Fiona should have been on the show anyway," added Neil, who plays DCI John Barnaby.

Fans can catch up with Midsomer Murders on the ITV Hub.