They love the 1980s

Much as Life On Mars was full of treats for those old enough to remember the 1970s, Ashes To Ashes is a blast for the ‘80s generation.

The scary test-card girl who haunted Sam Tyler has become the clown from the pop video for David Bowie’s ‘Ashes To Ashes’ (see what they did there?), always on hand to freak Alex out.

Keeley Hawes's outfits are a treat – all microskirts, high heels and big shoulder pads, as well as a spot-on white leather jacket.

As the series goes on, we will see how the political background of the time – the Brixton riots, the Scarman report that slammed police methods, Thatcherism and so on – impacts on Gene and company.

There's a hilarious dream sequence in the first episode involving two much-loved characters from a children's TV favourite – we won’t ruin the fun by telling you who.

And Gene's even got a new motor: a suitably naff and boy-racerish red Audi Quattro.

The production design is spot-on, and the soundtrack is a medley of hits, not all of them obvious choices.

My favourite period piece was the absolutely massive computer in Gene's office – its only use is to display the date and play arcade classic Pong!