Many actors have become famous policemen but John Thaw was renowned as hard-man Regan in the Seventies' tough police drama The Sweeney and, from 1987, as the intellectual Inspector Morse.

His very first television appearance was in Z Cars in 1964, aged 22, as a young cop.

The leading role in Z Cars, Inspector Barlow, was of course played by Stratford Johns, who also died recently.

Along with Fabian Of The Yard, Lockhart (of No Hiding Place), Dixon, Maigret and Frost, Inspector Morse will always remain in our fondest of memories.

-Michael Parker, Lewes Road, Brighton