Hunt is on for a new Miss Marple after Geraldine McEwan 'retires'

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The search is on for a new Miss Marple after actress Geraldine McEwan announced she is retiring from the role.

The 75-year-old has played the much-loved Agatha Christie character on ITV1 since 2003.

"Of course, it's terribly disappointing to have to pass the baton on, but it has been a marvellous experience to inhabit this role for the last few years," said McEwan.

"I am sure that my successor, whomever she may be, will thoroughly enjoy her time with the production team and with the extraordinarily talented group of writers and actors that they come up with for each series."

Paying tribute to fellow cast members, the veteran actress added: "It's been an absolute pleasure to work on Miss Marple since 2003, and I leave with fond memories."

McEwan is the sixth actress to portray the amateur sleuth on screen.

She followed Gracie Fields, Margaret Rutherford, Angela Lansbury, Helen Hayes and Joan Hickson.

Hickson was perhaps the best known, playing the character on the BBC from 1984 to 1992. She died in 1998, aged 92.

Since making her debut as Miss Marple in The Body In The Library, McEwan has made 12 more films - two of them still to be shown.

The murder mysteries pulled in audiences of up to 10 million viewers and have been sold to more than 100 countries.

Mathew Prichard, grandson of Agatha Christie and chairman of Agatha Christie Ltd, said: "Geraldine has been a wonderful Miss Marple - the sixth actress to play her on screen in my lifetime.

"I think she brought a humanity and playfulness to the role that worked beautifully in the context of the new approach we adopted for this ITV series.

"We will miss her - but are looking forward to seeing what new aspects of Jane Marple's character our new Miss Marple might be able to explore."

ITV's director of drama, Laura Mackie, said: "Geraldine McEwan's interpretation of the Miss Marple character has been a key part in the enormous success and popularity that the series has enjoyed over the past few years.

"She has introduced Miss Marple to an entirely new audience, and we are grateful for the way she has dealt with the enormously demanding schedule.

"It's sad that she feels it is time to hang up her knitting needles, but we are very excited about working on the latest chapter in this timeless set of mystery stories."