Chris Skelton

Christopher Daniel Skelton
Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes character
Marshall Lancaster as Chris Skelton in Ashes to Ashes
First appearance	Life on Mars: Episode 1, series 1
Portrayed by	Marshall Lancaster (UK version) Jonathan Murphy (US version)
Books	The Wit and Wisdom of Gene Hunt
Information
Occupation	Police Officer Manchester and Salford Police (1973) Metropolitan Police (1980–3)
Title	Detective Constable (Geneverse) Police Constable ("real" world)
Spouse(s)	Sharon Granger (previously engaged)
Nationality	British

PC/DC Christopher "Chris" Skelton is a fictional character in BBC One's science fiction/police procedural drama, Life on Mars and its spin-off Ashes to Ashes.

The character of Chris Skelton has been described as a "dogsbody" who is a "cheeky but likeable character" by the BBC's Life on Mars website. Throughout both series of Life on Mars, Skelton finds himself torn between the "old and the new ways policing" of Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) and Sam Tyler (John Simm).

He is generally regarded as a waste of space by Hunt throughout both series and plays only minor roles in the storylines that unfold. Skelton finally proves himself in series 2 episode 6, saving Hunt, Tyler and Annie Cartwright (Liz White) from death when he shoots Big Bird.

Unlike Ray Carling (Dean Andrews), Skelton eventually comes to respect Tyler and begins to emulate his modern policing methods, such as tape-recording interviews years before it became standard procedure. Tyler also helps Skelton overcome his clumsiness, nervousness and naivety. During the finale of Life on Mars, Skelton informs Tyler: "I don't underestimate you Boss, I just don't understand you".

Alongside Gene Hunt and Ray Carling, Skelton moved from Manchester to London and joined the Metropolitan Police shortly after the death of Sam Tyler in 1980.

By the time in which Ashes to Ashes is set in 1981, eight years since that of Life on Mars set in 1973, Chris' confidence, maturity and policing skills are displayed to have improved. During one episode, he described himself as "cautious rather than nervous" (as opposed to his demeanour in Life on Mars)