Back in August, Criminal Minds' Thomas Gibson found himself in hot water on the show after he was involved in an altercation on set and was subsequently fired. Gibson had been on the show for twelve seasons since it began in 2005, and his sudden departure meant the show had to find a way to write him out.

His character Hotch's absence was explained at the start of the latest season as being on a "special assignment". However, in an episode that aired last night stateside, they finally revealed why he wouldn't be coming back - Hotch had quit the FBI off screen and entered a witness protection programme with son Jack.

That old chestnut, wha'?

In his most recent storyline, Jack was being stalked by Mr Scratch, so it's not totally out there that Hotch would have got the hell out of dodge. Still though, would have been nice if he had said goodbye.

The actor told Digital Spy in a statement at the time of the incident: "I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last twelve years.

"I had hoped to see it through to the end, but that won't be possible now. I would just like to say thank you to the writers, producers, actors, our amazing crew, and, most importantly, the best fans that a show could ever hope to have."

However Gibson has since considered a lawsuit over his dismissal, so watch this space.