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Midsomer Murders' Neil Dudgeon's replacement 'tipped' as Doc Martin star after show axe

Midsomer Murders' Neil Dudgeon could be replaced by a Doc Martin star if he were ever to leave the ITV series

Doc Martin legend Martin Clunes is among the hot favourites to step into Neil Dudgeon's shoes on Midsomer Murders if the star ever decides to hang up his detective hat. Although Neil isn't planning on exiting the show anytime soon, he has spoken out about the challenges of "being cancelled" after taking over from John Nettles.

Bookies are already speculating about who might take over the reins of the ITV hit series should Neil depart, with Vera's Kenny Doughty currently leading the pack. However, Martin Clunes, who charmed audiences as Doctor Martin Ellingham in Doc Martin until its finale in 2022, is also in the running.

Martin's odds to become the new lead detective are set at 20/1, sharing the same chances as Only Fools and Horses icons Nicholas Lyndhurst and Jamie Parker. Other contenders include Death in Paradise's Ralf Little and Daniel Case, with odds of 5/1 and 6/1 respectively.

Even former Midsomer Murders star John Nettles has been given long odds of 80/1 for a sensational return.

Betway's Chad Yeomans weighed in on the betting frenzy, stating: "We make the ex-Vera star Kenny Doughty the favourite at 4/1 to replace Neil Dudgeon should he ever stand down as DCI John Barnaby.Next in the betting comes Death in Paradise star Ralf Little at 5/1, who was hugely popular in his role as DI Neville Parker before his surprise departure from the show earlier this year," reports the Express.

[Martin Clunes]

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Martin Clunes is among the bookies' favourites to replace Neil Dudgeon

He further commented: "Rounding out the top three in the betting market is Daniel Casey at 6/1, who our traders think could be in line to make a return to Causton as the main character!

"Or could the legendary John Nettles at 80/1, who recently turned down a cameo role in a proposed remake of Bergerac, be tempted to play the famous detective chief inspector one more time?"

Although Neil hasn't hinted at any plans to leave Midsomer Murders, he has spoken about the challenges of stepping into the shoes of John Nettles, the original Barnaby.

Speaking to Radio Times magazine, he confessed: "It was hard at the beginning because John [Nettles] had done it for 14 years. If they'd cancelled me after one series, that would have been embarrassing! It gets easier, but I try to keep it fresh."

[Kenny Doughty as DS Aiden Healy]

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Kenny Doughty as DS Aiden Healy(Image: ITV)

He shared his approach to the character, stating: "Even if I've gone through the script 50 times, I'll look at it again and have another thought. It's still extremely pleasant and I'm extremely grateful."

Fans have also expressed their wishes to see Jason Hughes, who portrayed DS Ben Jones, return to the show.

On a Facebook fan page dedicated to the show, one fan queried: "How do you feel about Jason Hughes coming back to the new season?"

Other die-hard fans quickly jumped into the comments section to voice their opinions, with one remarking: "Yes, he was the best detective."

"Yes," another simply penned while a third concurred: "Please come back." Another person posted: "Come back the programme needs you."

You can catch Midsomer Murders on the ITV Hub.

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