Detective Inspector Jack Frost (Actually William Edward Frost)is based in fictional town Denton, possibly in Oxfordshire. He is a widower who is addicted to work. He is grumpy and adverse to modern policing methods; preferring to rely on his hunches and “gut feeling”. He has the grudging admiration of his “boss” - Superintendent Norman Mullett played by Bruce Alexander. He also breaks the rules when he feels that is necessary and this causes friction with his superiors. In his own words, he cares, and can become too emotionally involved in his cases.

One of his tricks is a ring of keys that he has collected over years of service which affords him entrance to premises when he probably has no right be there.

Likes to do things his own way

He likes to be out on the street and has a good instinct for when he is being lied to. He could really do with smarting up his appearance and his amateur shoe repairs have been a theme of the various series. Although he can still be a success with the ladies. He is the holder of the George Cross for his intervention at a shooting incident although he no longer has the medal. (In a typical emotional response he put it into the coffin of a colleague who was shot because he felt the youngster was braver than him.)

15 series

The programme has run for 15 series and 42 episodes. Each episode is built around two plots and at least one murder.

Comic moments

There are comic moments in the show and many of these revolve around his relationship with Mullett (“Horn-rimmed Harry”) and his attempts to avoid his superior. Mullet is obsessed with doing things by the book and reaching the targets set for him by the Chief Constable.

Sadness

David Jason plays the copper with great depth bringing out his sadness but also his determination. There will be no new episodes of the programme as David has decided that he wants to “retire” the role. He feels he has become too old to credibly play a CID officer.

Where is Denton?

Oddly, various town maps have been seen on the briefing room wall but most commonly Swindon. Actually much of the exterior filming was carried out in West Yorkshire.

Regular characters

The characters were created by author RD Wingfield in his novels: Frost at Christmas (1984), A Touch of Frost (1987), Night Frost (1992), Hard Frost (1995), Winter Frost (1999) and A Killing Frost (2008. One of the main characters seen throughout the years is DS George Toolan played by John Lyons. Other regulars are Sandy Longford (Bill Stewart) and police archivist Ernie Trigg (David Jason's real-life brother Arthur White).

A Touch of Frost starring David Jason

The grumpy old detective investigate crime his way

Staring David Jason, Bruce Alexander, John Lyons, Bill Stewart and Arthur White

Photograph of David Jason in character as Detective Inspector “Jack” Frost.