Like a lot of people I haven't watched Heartbeat for a long time now (I tired of being stuck in the 1960s, I often felt we should've been in the 1970s by now, but we have Life on Mars for that, LOL.)
It's a shame ITV1 swung the axe this year, after keeping the cast and crew in suspense (using too many episodes 'in the can' as a poor excuse.)
The ending is typical ITV1, Peak Practice suffered the same fate (Eva Pope and Maggie O'Neill falling over the edge into a quarry as Gray O'Brien watched on, helplessly) leaving loyal viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering about the fate of the characters.
I'd think Oscar died from his injuries, giving the raising of the toast from his friends and work colleagues; but it's nice to know the viewer has the power to be more optimistic.
It's also shameful ITV1 felt the need to talk over the last credits (especially over the better version of 'Without You'!) but the same happened to The Bill, and ITV1 don't seem to care about the viewer these days.
Given that finances are tight; and celebrity-based programmes are 'cheaper' to produce, I doubt we'll see ITV1 making another long running series like Heartbeat EVER again