'Ashes' finale will explain 'Life On Mars'

The last ever episode of Ashes To Ashes will also explain the ending to Life On Mars, co-creator Matthew Graham has promised.

The final episode of the predecessor series, which aired in 2007, had an ending that saw John Simm's character apparently commit suicide in the present day, only to subsequently return to his coma-induced '70s life.

The ambiguity of the storyline - as well as the questions raised in its sequel show - will all be resolved by the end of the upcoming third series of Ashes. "The idea is to unify the two shows," Graham told DS. "Series three unifies Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes and makes them one show. By the time you get halfway through series three of Ashes To Ashes, you will actually feel like you're watching series five of Life On Mars!"

He added: "In a way what we're saying is that we're going to finally explain the mythology we've created. And in theory, there will be no mystery left."

Graham also confirmed that there are no plans for a new spinoff show following the conclusion of Ashes. "This is it, this is the end and I've written the last ever lines I will ever write for Gene Hunt. There's no way we could do another series after this. There would be no mystery left."

> Click here to read our interview with Matthew Graham in full