As Oxford braces itself for the death of its most famous cop, Katherine MacAlister looks behind the scenes of Inspector Morse

Oxford is in mourning today for one of its favourite characters. Inspector Morse has not only put the city firmly on the television map but also become a great friend over the years.

Morse graces our screens for the last time tonight and as the nation sits glued to its seats with the usual mixture of excitement and suspense, there will also be a huge sense of loss.

GOOD READING HABITS: Morse catches up with the news

Tonight's is the 33rd episode and viewers have become addicted to the heady mixture of murder and mystery, interlaced with the detective work of Inspector Morse, played by John Thaw, and his trusty sidekick Sgt Lewis, played by Kevin Whately.

But it's not just the characters that have made Morse such a favourite - knowing that its author, Colin Dexter, lives in Summertown and seeing so many familiar sights as the backdrop for this hugely successful series have helped boost Morse's enormous following at home.

But while Dexter is unrepentant about closing the book on the nation's best-loved police partnership, both the Carlton TV crew and cast themselves were depressed by the decision.

Producer Chris Burt says: "The worst time for us was the last day's filming in Oxford itself. There was a great depression throughout the whole crew and the actors.

"This was the last trip to Oxford with Morse still being there with his red car. John was very depressed by it. He had enjoyed doing Morse for so many years, especially coming to Oxford once a year. It was a very sad moment for him."

It is already public knowledge that Inspector Morse gets finished off once and for all in this last episode, and Dexter has made it clear his mantle won't be taken up by anyone else. He says: "The copyright of Morse is mine. No-one can take over Morse or Lewis, so there is no question of a new series. I shall not be writing any more about them."

His decision is fair enough. After all, Inspector Morse is now in his 70s and Dexter has had no qualms about depicting him as the pensioner he is, far removed from the blunt, Wagner-loving, bitter-swilling character that strolled on to our screens in 1987.

But after 81 violent deaths and 27 years of living and breathing Morse, Dexter feels the time is right.

"People write to say how cruel it is of me to kill off Morse. But I am getting old. I think I have said enough about Morse and Lewis.

"He started off in his early 40s and he must be 70 now. Do you know what age policemen retire? It's usually 50.

"Anyway, with the murder count at 80, Oxford has become the murder capital of the UK. The time has come to put an end to this."

Morse is now a pale, hunched, slow-moving version of his former self, and has chosen to take up bird-watching rather than drinking in his favourite watering holes in case he has to go back to hospital.

But while the ageing of Inspector Morse may come as a shock, The Remorseful Day won't disappoint.

It centres on the year-long investigation into the murder of Yvonne Harrison which sparks to life again when new evidence is uncovered.

Morse, who has been ill, is back on duty but working under Lewis, who is leading the investigation. Sure enough, Morse soon starts interfering and checking up on Lewis's procedure.

Filming the last episode was certainly a momentous event in John Thaw's career as he said goodbye to arguably the best part of his acting life.

He says: "If Morse hadn't died in this, then I would have filmed it and waited for the next book.

"All I said previously was that I didn't want the television Morse to end like Frank Sinatra, doing an endless series of farewell concerts.

"When producer Chris Burt phoned to tell me that in Colin's next book Morse would die, I was pleased in a way, because it took away the responsibility of deciding if I, as an actor, should do Morse again and again."

But he admits the last day of filming on the last episode filled him with sadness.

"It shouldn't have really because it is only a part. But it has been so much part of my life and I was a bit emotional.

"I've enjoyed Morse more than anything I've done so when the final episode does go out, it's going to be a sad day - not just for me but for everyone involved."