Fans of classic crime dramas got a pleasant surprise on Monday when Midsomer Murders was shown on ITV after a shake up to the channel's Christmas schedule.
A feature length festive edition of the long running series began at 11.30am, the time when This Morning would usually be on screen, with it then running into the 12.30-1.30pm time slot usually occupied by Loose Women.
The classic episode saw John Nettles' Inspector Barnaby try to get to the bottom of a rather grisly Yuletide mystery, when a cracker riddle stated two people would die before midnight on Boxing Day, and just a few hours later family matriarch Lydia met an untimely end - giving Barnaby the perfect reason to escape a boring Christmas with his in-laws.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker applauded for Formula 1 dig during Sports Personality
While the episode shown was 17 years old, first airing on Christmas Day 2004, many Midsomer Murders fans loved the fact that it was on again.
One took to Twitter to post: "Old midsomer murders and a cup of tea all I need is snow," while a second joked: "And now on ITV...Midsomer Murders from about 1894."
A third reacted: "I’ve been watching old episodes of Peak Practice lately. Now I’m watching an old Midsomer Murders and two of the actors from PP are in it. My little brain is all fuddled now, getting plots mixed up."
There's good news for lovers of all things Midsomer, as it will be back on ITV on Tuesday, before making way for a host of classic films from Wednesday, including ET, as we edge ever closer to Christmas Day.
For the latest What's On news, announcements and reviews direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
