INSPECTOR Morse get married? He'd much rather have a pint of real ale, do a crossword or listen to Wagner.

That is the message from his creator Colin Dexter, who insists his most famous character is not about to tie the knot.

Mr Dexter, 67, told the Oxford Mail from his north Oxford home: "Morse is not the sort likely to get married.

"If anybody has read my books, they will know it will be extremely unusual for a man of his independent temperament ever to get married."

Rumours persist that the Oxford-based Morse, played by John Thaw, will marry a schoolteacher in a forthcoming episode called The Wench Is Dead, to be screened in November.

Watched by 18 million fans in Britain and hundreds of millions around the world, the dour yet loveable detective has been famously unattached for 31 two-hour films. Whenever he has tried to get close to a lady, work often gets in the way. So why should the latest episode be any different?

The script, in draft form only, is being written by novelist Malcolm Bradbury, famous author of The History Man.

The final script will not be released until later this year.

Mr Dexter has written seven best-sellers featuring the irascible Morse, and Carlton Television has invented more than 20 Morse murder mysteries with Mr Dexter's permission.

The final script will be shown to Mr Dexter, who will have the chance to discuss its content. He said he had attended a script conference during the past few days.

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