TWO lucky readers are looking forward to appearing in an episode of a hit TV show after winning a competition in the Oxford Mail.

Paul Hunt and Gavin Bennett collected tokens from the paper in August and will now star as extras in popular Oxford-based crime series Lewis.

Four new episodes of the Inspector Morse spin-off, starring Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox, are being filmed in Oxford over the coming months.

Mr Hunt, 65, from Hurst Close, Wallingford, was shocked to find out he had won.

The grandfather-of-seven said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard. I thought someone was taking the mick.”

He added: “I was a big Morse fan and have most of them on video. I like Lewis because of the familiar surroundings.

“And I’ll be watching every episode from now on.”

The other winner was Mr Bennett, from Prichard Road in Headington, Oxford, who said he was “thrilled” to win.

He said: “I was a massive Morse fan and when Lewis started, I watched that too – and I have continued to ever since.

“ The acting in it is great, the storylines are brilliant and it’s great to watch because you recognise so many of the places in Oxford.”

The 31-year-old plumber added: “This prize is extra special because it’s a show I love.”

More than nine million viewers tuned in to watch the most recent Lewis series. But Mr Bennett said he wasn’t nervous about his forthcoming brush with fame.

He said: “I really hope we get to meet Kevin Whately, but I’m not nervous as he seems like a nice guy.”

The pair may even get the chance to meet the creator of Inspector Morse, Colin Dexter.

The author, who lives in North Oxford, works as a consultant on Lewis and often appears as an extra himself.