Fans will be counting the days before the new series of Oxford-set Inspector Morse-prequel Endeavour hits TV screens this weekend.
But they will have to make do without the now famous cameo appearance of writer and creator Colin Dexter.
The ITV series - serving as a prequel to the popular crime detective series, has featured numerous cameo appearances from the 86-year old scribe.
In an interview with Radio Times, however, series creator Russell Lewis said that there would be no further cameos in 2017.
He said: "“I think he’s allowed, after 30-odd years, to take tea in the pavilion.
"We haven’t got him in the flesh this year. But there’s a big part of the fandom that likes to spot Colin – like spotting Hitchcock.
“He’ll be there in spirit, not in flesh. He’ll be that little bit harder to find than usual.”
The fourth season of the ITV drama will air on Sunday January 8 at 8pm.
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