What I got from the meeting this morning was once we do the scut, we're free to be real-life detectives.

In response to the criticism, EastEnders apologised for offending real-life detectives and confirmed that they use a police consultant for such storylines.

'So,' he said without looking up, 'you play the real-life detective for a change?'

The detectives on the show are composites of the real-life detectives in the book.

There was, in Honolulu, a real-life Chinese detective on the police force, a man named Chang Apana, who people early on insisted was the model for Chan.

Angels '88 (Fox) - Four beautiful actresses, out of work when their detective series folds, become real-life detectives.

In effect all the actors, as well as the real-life detectives, crooks, thugs and homeless men who appear in the movie, allowed themselves to be stolen from.

She was obviously thrilled by the prospect of aiding and abetting a real-life private detective.

The real-life detectives portrayed in Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets signed waivers allowing themselves to be portrayed in the show, and some became consultants for the series.

Fontana said of the real-life detectives' contributions: "They have great stories, and the rhythms of their different personalities are so special that it's great to have them around."