Like father, like son?

TV Times visits Martin Clunes and his Doc Martin family on location in Cornwall

- Emma Bullimore

Sipping a drink on the balcony of The Golden Lion, the pub in Port Isaac, Cornwall, that doubles up as The Crab & Lobster in the fictional village of Portwenn in Doc Martin, TV Times is surrounded by fans of the series desperate to catch a glimpse of the show’s stars.

Breathing in the sea air, it’s a relaxing place to be. But as we rejoin the medic for a ninth series of the popular ITV comedy drama, there’s a heavy weight on the shoulders of the grumpy GP, played by Martin Clunes.

He’s going to be forced to fight for his job, and the patients he pretends to detest, as the General Medical Council launches an investigation into his blood phobia and professional competency.

We are joined by Martin, 57, who’s played Dr Martin Ellingham since 2004, and the actor’s Jack Russell James Henry (who gave his name to his character’s son!) for a Cornish pasty and a chat, to find out what’s in store…

It seems like a worrying time for Doc Martin with the General Medical Council breathing down his neck, doesn’t it?