Only Fool and Horses icon 'tipped' to replace Neil Dudgeon on Midsomer Murders after cancellation fears

Midsomer Murders star Neil Dudgeon has been at the helm of the ITV drama since 2011, but fans have been left worried about who could replace Neil if he were to leave

Nicholas Lyndhurst, best known for his role in Only Fools and Horses, is among the top contenders to replace Neil Dudgeon in the ITV series Midsomer Murders, according to bookmakers. Although Neil has no plans to leave the show, speculation has arisen after he discussed being "cancelled".

Nicholas has been given odds of 20/1, alongside Martin Clunes, to take over the role. Other notable actors, including Ralf Little from Death in Paradise and Kenny Doughty from Vera, are also in the running, according to Betway.

Betway spokesperson Chad Yeomans revealed the latest odds, saying: "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."

He added: "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?"

Nicholas, best known for his role as Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, has since appeared in several TV shows after the sitcom ended.

However, after a period away from the spotlight, Nicholas has traded the UK for the US to star in the reboot of the American sitcom, Frasier, where he portrays Alan Cornwall, reports the Mirror.

Fans of Midsomer Murders have been theorising about who might succeed Neil Dudgeon as lead detective John Barnaby - and their theories involve a familiar face.

On a Midsomer Murders Facebook fan page, one viewer shared their thoughts: "If Neil Dudgeon ever retired from the show, I think we should bring back Daniel Casey in his place as Chief Inspector Gavin Troy.

"Also, Laura Howard as Cully Barnaby whose husband died and comes back to town meets Gavin and strikes up a romance, and marries. She becomes his sidekick and the Barnaby in the story that's needed."

"Oh heavens," one fan responded while another pleaded: "No not Gavin Jones."

"I don't care as long as the show carries on," someone else stated while another eagerly remarked: "Yes, I would love him back."

Neil also recently shared his initial concerns about stepping into John's shoes and whether he would get "cancelled" with Radio Times magazine.

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

Reflecting on his departure from the show in a 2009 interview with The Telegraph, John Nettles explained his reasons for leaving, saying: "I never thought when we were filming the pilot The Killings at Badger's Drift in 1996 that I would go on to film so many episodes. It has been a joy to be involved in such a long-running series with so many good actors and great storylines. It's the end of an era for me.

"I suddenly realised that I'm going to be the oldest detective in the business now that David Jason has thrown off the mantle. But it was a very difficult decision to make."

Catch Midsomer Murders on the streaming service ITVX.

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