Ashes To Ashes launched in February 2008, starring Philip Glenister, Dean Andrews and Marshall Lancaster as their previous Life On Mars characters, alongside Keeley Hawes (Spooks) as new character Alex Drake.

Speaking to Life Of Wylie to promote his new BBC One drama Exile, Simm discussed his reaction to the ’80s-set spin-off: “It was very strange. I watched the first episode and it was so weird watching those characters without me stood next to them. Because they were all in my head.”

He continued: “I couldn’t deal with it. I found it very difficult to watch. But I loved playing Sam Tyler and I loved working with Phil. But, you know, I work with Phil every 10 minutes, so I’m not going to miss that.”

Discussing whether a return as Sam Tyler for the finale of Ashes To Ashes was ever possible, he explained: “No. That was never going to happen. It was a totally different show. I didn’t want to and they didn’t ask me.”

Created by Paul Abbott (Shameless), Exile stars John Simm alongside Jim Broadbent and is written by Danny Brocklehurst (The Street, Clocking Off). The three-part psychological thriller begins at 9pm on Sunday 1st May on BBC One.