Iconic British actor Martin Shaw has exposed the on-set behaviour of his late co-star Lewis Collins after the pair shot to fame together in ITV series The Professionals. They were one of Britain’s most iconic crime fighting duos, Bodie and Doyle – but despite their seemingly close relationship on-screen, behind the scenes it was a different story altogether.

Now 80, Martin has told The Telegraph that it was “truly, truly horrible” working with Lewis, who died in 2013 after battling cancer. He explained: “It was truly, truly horrible and there was a sense of blessed relief when it was over. Ten years after the show finished I met Lewis and everything was healed between us.”

He said Lewis’ alleged bad behaviour began when the pair met on set of The New Avengers back in 1977, explaining: “Lewis behaved so badly on that set. He had a small part but he was so arrogant. It was beyond that. It was bizarre.”

Lewis allegedly “boasted about his physical prowess” on set, “at the expense” of other colleagues working on the project during fight scenes – insisting he would win in a real physical altercation.

When it came to getting cast in The Professionals, Martin even told the casting director on the project that he couldn’t work with Lewis “because we don’t get on”, but his objection was put to the side.

He recalled: “I went up to him on the first day of shooting and said, ‘You know I didn’t want you to do this but let’s get on with it and have fun’. And he told me to f*** off and he never forgave me for the next four years.”

The production company reportedly wanted an “abrasive relationship” between its lead actors – and that’s what it got.

Lewis was first diagnosed with cancer in 2008, battling the disease for five years until his death in Los Angeles in 2013. He had been forced to pull out of a film that same year due to ill health, after coming out of acting retirement to star in 1066.