Famous for numerous crime novels and shows such as Prime Suspect and Trial And Retribution, Lynda la Plante experiences real glee when she spots someone reading her book. She confesses to rearranging shelves at airport shops to give her own books prominence.

Here she was promoting Twisted. There were no surprises when she retold funny stories from her past. As a child she wanted to be a ballet dancer, fell in love with her elocution teacher who suggested Rada and never looked back.

Since her first treatment for Granada TV, which led to Widows, she has “gone to the source” for her research – there was always a “villain” on set she could quiz.

The Metropolitan Police and the Society of Forensic Scientists, who recently made her the first non-scientist Fellow, willingly feed scenarios which become plots.

Among the revelations on the night were that Dolly Rawlins of Widows was inspired by a woman with a market stall at Ladbroke Grove and retired policemen are helping the playwright with her enquiries as she writes young Jane Tennison – coming to the small screen soon.