MEET SOME OF THE CO-STARS WHO SAY THE SHOW IS TO DIE FOR

HELENA BONHAM CARTER She plays a heavily armed woman who turns up at a crime scene. It’s a classic “housewife finally snaps” incident for Wicky – who’s determined to make it to curry night at his local. Helena, 55, said: “It has been brilliant fun working with Greg and the team on The Cleaner. Before this job, thanks to my children, I knew Greg as the really tall man on Taskmaster but now I know that not only is he genuinely very tall, he is also a brilliant writer and as nice as he is funny.”

DAVID MITCHELL

David’s character Terence is a pompous author who has more than writer’s block. As he tries to finish his latest masterpiece, the last thing he needs is his dead gran in the next room. David, 47, said: “I play an irascible and self-involved writer apparently oblivious to the gory family tragedy that just happened in his living room.”

STEPHANIE COLE Stephanie stars as Vivien, the aristocratic owner of a stately home that’s just been the site of a burglary gone wrong. As she regales Wicky with tales about her ancestors, he discovers there may be more to this case than meets the eye. Stephanie, 79, said: “Vivien is a frightful old woman. She doesn’t care about anyone else and is selfish. I loved the craziness and the over-the-topness of it.”

JO HARTLEY

Jo plays Wicky’s ex Maggie and first “proper” girlfriend. She’s the one that got away but when a countryside killing brings the pair back together, they catch up over a cuppa. Jo, 49, said: “Maggie ran off and married another man. Wicky never got over her. She’s sassy, ambitious and she hates blood. Let’s just say episode six is an unexpected reunion.”