After retiring from the limelight at the grand age of 13 - or 91 in dog years - Sykes spent his time relaxing and going for long walks with his humans.

In real-life, Sykes’ owner and stunt dog specialist Gill Raddings noticed his hearing was starting to go and decided it was time for him to hang up his collar. Sadly, the Midsomer Murders season 19 premiere “The Village That Rose From The Dead” revealed Sykes had died of old age much to the dismay of John, Sarah and their daughter Betty. Related: Where To Watch Midsomer Murders Season 20 Online After John and Sarah had a baby girl, Sykes didn’t appreciate the new addition taking attention from him and strategically hid the kid’s favorite teddy bear in protest in Midsomer Murders season 18 premiere “Habeas Corpus.” Sykes even had a few of his own Midsomer Murders subplots like in the season 14 episode “The Oblong Murders” in which John and Sarah hired a dog minder to look after him. An exceptionally intelligent terrier cross, Sykes was an integral part of the new Barnaby clan and John’s loyal sidekick. Use art software to create your own pictures of Nell. Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by the multi-talented illustrator and print-maker Sara Ogilvie, The Detective Dog is a fast-paced celebration of books, reading, libraries and the relationship between a little boy and his rather special dog.John was accompanied in his move by wife Sarah (Fiona Dolman) and their pet dog Sykes (also called Sykes in real life). Create a game in which Nell has to catch the criminal who stole the schools books. Books about dinosaurs, books about space and even books about dogs – Nell loves them all! But one day Peter and Nell arrive at school to find all the books have disappeared! Who could have taken them, and why? Luckily, Detective Dog Nell, with help from the whole class, is ready to sniff out the thief!

When she’s not cracking cases, Nell goes to school with Peter and listens to the children read. Her ever-sniffing nose is always hard at work solving mysteries and finding all Peter’s lost toys. Peter’s dog Nell has an amazing sense of smell. She was known far and wide as Detective Dog Nell. There once was a dog with a keen sense of smell. When a crime needs solving, there’s only one dog for the job! Join Nell the Detective and help solve the mystery of the missing books.

The detective dog