13 Facts About Chris Skelton

The character of Chris Skelton has been described as a "dogsbody" who is a "cheeky but likeable character" by the BBC's Life on Mars website.

Chris Skelton is generally regarded as a waste of space by Hunt throughout both series and plays only minor roles in the storylines that unfold.

Chris Skelton finally proves himself in series 2 episode 6, saving Hunt, Tyler and Annie Cartwright from death when he shoots Big Bird.

Unlike Ray Carling, Chris Skelton eventually comes to respect Tyler and begins to emulate his modern policing methods, such as tape-recording interviews years before it became standard procedure.

Alongside Gene Hunt and Ray Carling, Chris Skelton moved from Manchester to London and joined the Metropolitan Police shortly after the death of Sam Tyler in 1980.

Chris Skelton proposes to her in the second episode of season two and they become engaged.

Chris Skelton initially thought that he could infiltrate the group and learn who was involved, but the more tasks he performed, the more involved he became, and he found it impossible to tell either Hunt or Drake about what was happening to him.

However, in the final episode of the second series, Chris Skelton puts himself in danger by agreeing to go along with the corrupt officers' robbery plan; this eases tensions between Chris Skelton and the other characters and his relationship with Shaz recovers, as she admits that she still loves him because "he cares when he gets it wrong".

In episode 7 series 3, Chris Skelton's working relationship with Hunt is strained due to him laughing at a mishap at Viv James's funeral and spilling his drink at the wake.

Chris Skelton then disobeys an order from Hunt and the two fight in the office.

In episode seven, following the resolution of his argument with Hunt, Chris Skelton says he recognises the voice as that of Nelson, the landlord of The Railway Arms from Life on Mars, asking him what he is having to drink.

On 14 February 1975, whilst serving as a uniformed constable, his Sergeant told him to "do as he is told", which was for Chris Skelton to move out into the open at the blow of his Sergeant's whistle, resulting in him being gunned down and killed.

Chris Skelton ponders on how he acted as a dogsbody for the Sergeant and did absolutely whatever he asked, just like his relationship with DCI Hunt, which he changes after standing up to Hunt in series three, episode seven.