Following the death of Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter in 2017, a memorial service was held in his honour the following year at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford.

It was April 2018 when stars of stage and screen, including Laurence Fox, gathered to pay their respects and share memories of the Oxford author.

Oxford Mail:

Laurence Fox

Some of the actors and actresses who attended were associated with the Inspector Morse TV series, or its spin-offs Lewis and and Endeavour.

READ AGAIN: Builder creates his own pub in back garden

Sheila Hancock, the widow of John Thaw, who played Inspector Morse in the ITV series was there on the day.

Oxford Mail:

Sheila Hancock

So too was John Thaw's daughter Abigail Thaw, who plays an Oxford Mail editor in the Morse prequel Endeavour.

Oxford Mail:

Abigail Thaw

Laurence Fox, who starred alongside Kevin Whately in the Lewis series, turned up wearing sun glasses.

Kevin Whately, who for years played the detective Robbie Lewis, was one of those who read a moving tribute.

Oxford Mail:

Kevin Whately

Following the author's death in March 2017, and a private funeral, the his family decided there should also be a memorial service, and Mr Dexter’s wife Dorothy and daughter Sally were among those who gathered.

Actors from the Inspector Morse, Lewis and Endeavour TV series sat alongside Mr Dexter’s former colleagues from Oxford University’s Delegacy of Oxford Examinations, members of the Inspector Morse Society, and fellow crossword compilers.

Oxford Mail:

Colin Dexter

Mr Whately paid tribute to Mr Dexter and his cameo roles in the TV series.

READ AGAIN: Private toll bridge road looks like it has melted

He told the congregation: “His acting improved but he was always ribbed mercilessly and Colin always enjoyed that ribbing.

“He would turn up bubbling with enthusiasm, with a joke or a crossword clue that went sailing over our heads.

“It was always such a delight for us to have him on set - he was such a benign presence and lovely company.”

The 13 Morse books were translated into 29 languages and sold 4m copies in the UK alone, leaving an indelible mark on crime fiction.

Arriving for the service Laurence Fox, who played Det Sgt James Hathaway in Lewis, said Mr Dexter was ‘such a lovely man’ and described his cameos as ‘magical’.

Sheila Hancock said: “Colin was a very dear man and very sadly missed.”

READ AGAIN: Mapped: the location of all bus gates in Oxford

Jonathan Crowther, setter of the Observer Azed crossword, praised Mr Dexter’s expertise as a crossword compiler and setter of crossword clues.

Oxford Mail:

Friends of Colin Dexter

He said: “Colin was always extremely convivial, irreverent and ribald at times - he was a master craftsman in cluemanship.”

Barrington Pheloung, who composed the Inspector Morse theme, was among musical performers, together with soprano Janis Kelly.

Following the service there was a reception in the town hall.

Oxford Mail:

Christ Church

Authors Philip Pullman and Val McDermid were among the guests and the reception included videos of Mr Dexter’s TV cameos.

We’re excited to launch We Grew Up in Oxford, a new online community for everyone who loves our great city. In our new Facebook group, we’ll be delving into the archives - both recent and older - to bring you memories of what it was like growing up and living here through the years.

We hope you’ll join us and get involved in the project, and remember to let us know what memories from your glory days you want to see in the group. We Grew Up in Oxford, so now it’s time to celebrate that. See you there!