Martin Clunes didn't want 'Doc Martin' to get "repetitive".
Martin Clunes in Doc Martin
The 61-year-old actor has played the titular character since 2004 but the series is set to end after its current 10th series and he thinks it is the right time to finish the programme before viewers get tired of it.
Asked why it is ending, he told Woman's Weekly magazine: "Because we'd only start getting repetitive.
"We were very conscious of wanting to close the circle rather than allowing it to drift into being an ongoing soap opera."
And Martin admitted he was surprised the programme has proven so popular for so long.
He said: "I couldn't have predicted it would take off in the way that it did.
"I think it may have something to do with the fact there are no murders or rapes or darkness in it."
The actor's wife Philippa Braithwaite is a producer on the show but Martin insisted it has never been a problem for them working together and he thinks she has a much more difficult job than he does.
He said: "[It's] not really [tricky] and we anyway have very different jobs.
"As the producer, I always maintain there's os much pressure on Philippa to deliver eight hours of television on time to the network."
After turning 60 last year, the former 'Men Behaving Badly' star admitted he wasn't very happy, but he's trying to count his blessings.
Asked if he minded turning 60, he said: "I did rather, although I suppose I'll get used to it. The free prescriptions help!
"I still get a thrill when I see my wife walk on set. I have a daughter I'm constantly amazed by, the bravest person I know. And I live on this glorious farm in Dorset. I'm a very fortunate man."
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