The servers of both Twitter and Facebook were brought to a virtual collapse late last night as millions of people simultaneously posted the joke that they had just thought up about the coffin reversing back from the curtains or the lid opening for the delivery of the TV cop's most famous catchphrase.
"The situation in the UK was made worse as many people were up later than normal posting derogatory remarks about U2 at Glastonbury, many of whom had been drinking, so traffic levels were already much higher that average." a spokesman said.
"In future we are hoping to get an early warning system in place with the news agencies so we can be prepared for these situations, in a similar manner to the way the National Grid fires up more power stations ahead of the ad breaks in Coronation Street and the inevitable tea making."
"I hate to think what might of happened if the actor had been someone known to the under 25's."
