As it’s based here in Manchester, Northwest Tonight’s Gordon Burns went down to the set to speak to the show’s two central characters, DI Sam Tyler and DCI Gene Hunt, aka actors John Simm and Philip Glenister, about living the life of a 70s copper. Playing it again, Sam
 | | John Simm |
If there’s one thing that every fan of Life On Mars wants to know, it’s just how Sam Tyler has ended up in 1973. Has he really time-travelled or is he actually in a coma? Understandably, John Simm isn’t about to give anything away as he returns to the role: "I was back in 1973… or so it seemed. But I’m not going to say. It’s just part of your job, isn’t it? You don’t give away the ending of an eight part series that you’ve spent six months filming!"
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However, what he was prepared to let slip was how surprised he was by how successful the show has been, the trouble the producers had to find authentic locations, his relationship with Philip Glenister and why Sam doesn’t make a packet at the bookies because of his insider knowledge! The rogue Gene
 | | Philip Glenister |
As much as the story is about Sam Tyler, though, it could be argued that the no-nonsense, big-mouthed, misogynistic, rule-bending, nonce-bashing DCI Gene Hunt has stolen the show, something that Philip Glenister can understand, as he loves the character: "It’s great. It’s a fantastic part. It’s so politically incorrect that it’s a joy and there’s just the idea that if someone had said to me at the start of my career that I’d end up in a 70s cop show, I’d have thought, don’t be ridiculous."
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He also spoke about Gene’s "grudging respect" for Sam Tyler, how he sees him as a "boil on his sideburns", and whether Gene watched Gordon in his first year of presenting the news in Manchester (which turns out to be 1973!). Sadly, for all Gordon’s probing, neither John nor Philip would reveal how the programme would end. Maybe he should have used some of Gene Hunt’s interview techniques to get it out of them! Life on Mars returns to 91Èȱ¬ One at 9pm on Tuesday 13 February. The series runs for eight episodes. | 
