FORGET Batman and Robin - when it comes to cracking down on criminals it's Fatman and Sobbin' you want on your side.

Yes, Dalziel and Pascoe are back on our screens, and it's good to report that the dynamic duo appear to be back on form.

Warren Clarke as Dalziel (pronounced d-yell for anyone who has yet to tune in) is one of the great TV detective characters.

As irrascible as a bulldog - and with a simliar facial expression to boot - he has a face that only a mother could love.

Good TV dramas involve the audience and it's nice to report that the writers of Dalziel and Pascoe have sharpened up their act after the previous series which was getting too silly for its own good.

So, for the start of a new series we had the mystery of a 20-year-old corpse discovered in a cave which cast doubts on the chief constable and his deputy. And there was enough in the script to justify it being shown over two nights.

The little asides and in-jokes shared by the team of detectives under Dalziel's subtle charms add to the realism and the enjoyment for viewers.

And we all love a good whodunnit, don't we?

Dalziel and Pascoe shows that you can have an engrossing script without having to resort to over-complicated plots or general silliness (Midsomer Murders take note).

And although there is plenty of realism, including a fine looking mumified corpse, it's not gratuitous or done simply for the sake of shocking the audience.

So welcome back boys, it's good to see you on the telly again. I for one will be tuning in again on Sunday.