Have you ever wondered what John Nettlesâ ten favourite episodes of Midsomer Murders are? Well, you need wonder no more as the actor, who played Inspector Tom Barnaby from 1997 until his last screen appearance in February 2011, has revealed his list of top ten investigations â all of which feature in a new DVD compilation.
Midsomer Murdersâ: Barnabyâs Top Ten begins at the beginning with the first-ever episode: The Killings at Badgerâs Drift.
John also selects A Talent for Life as being âthe most bizarre episodeâ he has ever starred in â the church in the lovely South Oxfordshire village of Brightwell Baldwin was used as a filming location during this mystery.
Another South Oxfordshire village - Lower Assendon â also features in Johnâs box set, courtesy of the A Worm in the Bud episode. But it is possible that John might have been a little distracted while filming scenes near the acclaimed Golden Ball gastro pub â the investigation features the actorâs âfavourite leading ladyâ (youâll have to buy the collection to find out whether this is Mrs Barnaby).
Blue Herrings makes the top ten on the grounds of it being Johnâs favourite story line â it is the episode in which Barnaby visits his convalescent aunt and ends up investigating some suspicious deaths at her nursing home.
Space is also found in the collection for Murder on St. Malleyâs Day (“most dramatic episode”) and Death of a Hollow Man (âmost intriguing crimeâ).
Of course, Midsomer Murders isnât just about crime and murder â the inclusion of Dead Manâs Eleven (âfunniest episodeâ) is a reminder of the seriesâ lighter side.
It must have been hard for John to pick out a favourite episode from his top ten but, showing a decisiveness sometimes lacking in Barnaby, he sticks his neck out and plumps for Stranglerâs Wood. If youâve forgotten what makes this episode so great youâll just have to watch the box set!