We all need a bit of escapism, it's grim out there!

Former Corrie star Sally Lindsay on becoming a murder mystery queen in her hit 'Lovejoy-on-Sea' series Madame Blanc, juggling parenthood with the help of drummer husband Steve White, and why 'comfy crime' is more vital than ever

- Alison James

ASK former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay why cosy crime or "comfy crime", as its TV equivalent has been dubbed is enjoying a new golden age and she answers without blinking: "It's the kind of television you can unwind with after a challenging day. You can escape into it - cup of tea or glass of wine in hand.

"And, goodness knows we all need a bit of entertaining escapism from real life right now, don't we? What with everything that's happening in the world? It's grim out there." Typically featuring a picture-perfect location, vivid characters and just a smidgeon of humour for light relief think Death In Paradise, Grantchester and Agatha Raisin its popularity shouldn't surprise us.

After all, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and her fictional (and murderous) village of St Mary Mead were television staples at the end of the last century.

Well now there's a new-ish kid on the block, the Madame Blanc Mysteries set in the fictional, uber-picturesque village of St Victoire on the French Riviera.

"It's a dream come true for me," laughs Sally, 50, in her lovely, warm Mancunian voice as we chat over Zoom.

"To be honest, I'm beside myself about it.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries is a bit like 'Lovejoy-on-sea'. Intriguing mysteries, gentle humour and likeable characters set against a lovely, sunny backdrop." Her heroine, Jean White, aka Madame Blanc, is a widowed English antiques dealer turned amateur sleuth who spends her time hunting for treasures while solving crimes.

The first three series are available on My 5, and Acorn TV, and all three will be released on DVD on February 26.

Fingers are firmly crossed that series four will start filming later this year.