Ian Rankin: I couldn't watch TV version of Rebus

CRIME writer Ian Rankin has revealed watching Inspector Rebus on TV would be "murder."

The 48-year-old said that seeing actors Ken Stott or John Hannah playing his famous fictional detective might jinx his writing.

Rankin said: "I have the shows on DVD, but I don't want to watch them until I have decided I won't write any more about Rebus.

"I don't want actors' voices in my head. It would be murder to watch."

Rankin has amassed a fortune from his 17 novels about the Edinburgh detective, 10 of which have been televised.

Although Rebus was pensioned off in his last novel Exit Music, Rankin will keep on writing.

He is working on a Constantine comic book. A movie based on the original starred Keanu Reeves and Tilda Swinton.

Rankin may even bring Rebus out of retirement.

He said: "I don't know if I'm going to close the doors. I have no plans to write more books with him as the main character. But that may change."

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