John Nettles, best known for his role as DCI Tom Barnaby in the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders, may have left the show 15 years ago, but he remains a beloved figure in British television.

Now aged 81, the actor leads a peaceful life in Devon, while Midsomer Murders continues to captivate audiences after 25 years, with Neil Dudgeon succeeding him as DCI John Barnaby.

The former Bergerac star resides in a 15th-century house in the picturesque seaside county with his second wife, Cathy, a painter, according to Hello! magazine.

Having shifted his focus from acting, John now indulges his passion for history, reports Devon Live.

In 2009, prior to his departure from Midsomer Murders, he created a three-part documentary, The Channel Islands at War, exploring the Nazi occupation of Jersey and Guernsey during the Second World War.

He further delved into this subject in 2012 with his book, Jewels and Jackboots, followed by an edition of the diaries of Reverend Douglas Ord, who resided in Guernsey during the war.

Since leaving Midsomer Murders, John has kept a foot in the acting world, making a cameo appearance in the Channel 4 sitcom, Toast of London, and featuring in the 2016 short film Never Land, alongside Keeley Hawes.

His most recent role was playing Ray Penvenen in the BBC's Poldark. He's also presented and narrated various documentaries, including the BBC reality show, My Unique B&B, and the Channel 4 series, Devon and Cornwall.