John Simm (left) and Philip Glenister, stars of Life on Mars.

Now here’s a rarity: a brilliant supernatural comedy on the BBC: Life on Mars.

TV viewers in Britain will already know about this exceptionally well-written show with the superb acting of Philip Glenister as a tough thief-taking cop from the pre-PC era of the 1970s.

Here’s how the BBC describes the show: “John Simm stars as Sam Tyler, a driven and ambitious young detective, determined to keep the streets of 21st Century Manchester safe. But after a near fatal car accident, he wakes up, dazed and confused, in 1973. Has he gone back in time? Is he in a coma? Or has he simply gone insane?”

Glenister dominates the screen as the old-school Detective Chief Inspector who gets results. Lines like: “The first one who speaks is guilty,” make this drama a total delight to watch.

The supernatural element, which involves the politically “correct”, 21st-century cop, John Simm, almost disappears as the sheer verve of old-style policing takes centre stage.

Wherever you are, if you get a chance to watch this, don’t miss.