Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter has died aged 86.

A statement from his publisher, Macmillan, said: "With immense sadness, Macmillan announces the death of Colin Dexter, who died peacefully at home in Oxford this morning."

He was best known for penning the crime novels, which spawned the long-running TV series Inspector Morse and spin-offs Endeavour and Lewis.

"Colin was the hugely popular author of the 11 Inspector Morse novels, first published in 1975 with Last Bus to Woodstock. The Morse novels sold in their millions and were adapted for one of the most popular television detective series ever made, starring the late John Thaw.

Colin created the character Morse in 1972 after becoming bored on a family holiday. He later said: We were in a little guest house halfway between Caernarfon and Pwllheli. It was a Saturday and it was raining—it's not unknown for it to rain in North Wales.

"The children were moaning... I was sitting at the kitchen table with nothing else to do, and I wrote the first few paragraphs of a potential detective novel."

Maria Rejt, Colin's most recent editor at Macmillan, added: “Colin was an author who inspired all those who worked with him. His loyalty, modesty and self-deprecating humour gave joy to many. His was the sharpest mind and the biggest heart, and his wonderful novels and stories will remain a testament to both.”

Jeremy Trevathan, Macmillan's publisher, added: “With Colin's death there has been a tectonic shift in the International crime writing scene. Colin represented the absolute epitome of British crime writing, and in the 1990s John Thaw's Inspector Morse took over Wednesday night television. He was one of those television characters who the nation took to their hearts. This is a very sad day for us all.”