Did You Know - Why Did Wycliffe Finish?

[Mr Zapp]

Did you know why the TV detective series Wycliffe ended its run in 1998
despite still getting generous audience figures?

Well it seems it was the fault of the producers of the show. At the
beginning of the last series, Jimmy Yuill who played the part D.I. Kersey,
was taken ill and had to spend a number of weeks off sick.

It was thought at the time by the producers of the show that they would
rather axe him from the show than delay filming. This did not go down well
with the lead actor Jack Shepherd who played Wycliffe himself.

Jack Shepherd had become very good friends with Jimmy Yuill and protested
to the producers that he felt Jimmy's sacking was unfair. He said either
you bring him back or I'll think twice about playing another series.

The makers did not reinstate Jimmy Yuill and so Jack Shepherd thought about
the situation and decided he had to stand up for his friend and refused to
film another series.

With the show being so popular, it must have taken quite a lot of courage
to turn down solid acting work!