The BBC has confirmed that New Tricks will end after its twelfth season later this year.

The long-running crime drama began in March 2003 and Dennis Waterman is the only remaining member of the original cast.

BBC One controller Charlotte Moore and BBC drama controller Ben Stephenson announced today: “We are incredibly proud of New Tricks and would like to thank Roy Mitchell the brilliant creator, Wall to Wall and Headstrong, and all the cast and teams involved across the 12 series. However, on BBC One, it’s important to make room for new series and continue to increase the range of drama on the channel, so it won’t be returning after the next series airs this summer.”

The show’s producers, Headstrong Pictures, have promised that they are “pulling out all the stops to make [Season 12] a rewarding finale for viewers.”

New Tricks will return to BBC One for a final season this summer, opening with “an explosive two part story” that will see Waterman’s character, Gerry Standing, depart the show.

EastEnders star Larry Lamb will join the cast in Episode 2 as Waterman’s replacement, ex-copper Ted Case, alongside Tamzin Outhwaite, Denis Lawson and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Do you think it’s the right time to end New Tricks? Let us know below…