ANY actor prepared to step into the role of Inspector Morse is either very brave, or very foolish.

That’s because the late, great John Thaw, the man who played him so unforgettably over 33 episodes of the hit TV series, still casts a giant shadow.

In the eyes of many Morse fanatics – and there are many thousands – he is irreplaceable.

But there will soon be a new Morse in town. Step forward former Dr Who Colin Baker, who is tackling this most fascinating of characters in a theatre revival inspired by Colin Dexter’s classic crime novels.

Mr Baker, a fine actor himself, is certainly no fool.

So we’ll salute his thespian courage and wish him all the best for the play’s opening at Oxford’s New Theatre in September.

We can’t wait to hear who’s playing Lewis.

Break a leg, Colin.