Taggart star hits out after co-star axed

Blythe Duff as DS Jackie Reid, John Michie as DI Robbie Ross, Alex Norton as DCI Matt Burke and Colin McCredie as DC Stuart Fraser.

• The Taggart cast featuring Blythe Duff, John Michie, Alex Norton and Colin McCredie who played DC Stuart Fraser.

The actor, who played DC Stuart Fraser in the Glasgow-based police drama, will not appear when the programme returns this weekend.

He was told his character would not be returning to the show shortly after filming the show's 100th episode.

The new six episode series, which marks the 27th year of the hit show, will begin on Sunday without him.

The new series sees Blythe Duff, Alex Norton and John Michie return as DS Reid, DI Burke and DS Ross alongside new characters and guest stars.

It is the first series to be co-produced by STV with ITV, rather than an ITV commission.

The show has new writers, directors and a new producer, but Duff said there was "great sadness" among the team at the decision to axe McCredie's character, adding that "something is lost from the programme" with his departure.

The 47 year-old, who has been in the show for 20 years, told the Daily Record newspaper: "It has been really tricky and a strong reminder of how sh**y this business can be. You can be gone in the click of a finger.

"Nobody likes to think that's how this business works, but this gives everyone a reminder that nothing is for good.

"It's like a bereavement. We just have to hope our lovely, strong friendship can come through that."