AS amusing sights go, the image of Gene Hunt dressed as Tufty will live long in the memory.

It was just the latest of a whole series of memorable scenes from Life on Mars, which sadly has only one more episode to run.

Philip Glenister, as the Jack Regan-esque detective inspector, has grown over this second series to reach the status of cult figure.

We are so often led to believe that only the Americans can produce quality drama series.

If that's the case let HBO try to come up with something as funny, compelling and acutely observed as Life on Mars.

The simple answer is, they couldn't because Life on Mars displays all that is best about uniquely British television.

And all this from a series based on a premise which is ridiculous at best: namely, a modern-day police officer transported back to 1973 after being knocked down in a hit and run accident.

Handled badly, the whole thing would have been a jumbled mess.

But because of the loving care which has been lavished on recreating the era when police drove Allegros and all wallpaper had to have large patterns on it, we can instantly relate to it.

I've said before that the Sam Tyler-Gene Hunt double act is one of TV's finer creations.

Let's hope the rumours are true and a spin-off series is already in the pipeline.