Johnson, who has played Detective Inspector Spencer Jordan since the show started in 2000, told BBC Press Office: “It probably won’t be until September that it’ll hit me: ‘There’s no Waking The Dead to go to.’”

He continued: “But I feel very blessed, very fortunate to have been involved in such an amazing show with a brilliant team of actors and some of the best writers, directors and producers… To be involved in that year-after-year – it gets the viewing figures and people love it. I mean, how many people can boast that? Not many.”

He added: “It’s been a valuable and vital part of my life and what I’ve learned from Waking The Dead I’ve taken on to other jobs, which is what it’s all about… So I will be eternally grateful to Waking The Dead for that.”

Series 9 begins at 9pm on Sunday 13th March.