Many thanks for all the positive feedback! So here's another one for you… You'll just have to go with it - don't worry: I am, despite hints to the contrary, aware that items of clothing cannot move of their own accord… ;) As there are a number of vests in the show, I have chosen to voice their lead representative. ;)

An Interview with… the Vest

Any unconventional TV crime-solver worth his salt has an iconic outfit to match. Clothing ex-conman Patrick Jane in The Mentalist, the Vest soon sent audience temperatures rocketing in all its colours and styles – peeking modestly from under lead actor Simon Baker's jacket, or boldly jacketless paired with rolled-up sleeves. We speak to this sartorial legend to find out whether the clothes really do make the man.

Interviewer: We were told that the decision to remove you was for creative reasons.

Vest: (sullen) I told my agent I didn't want to talk about that.

Interviewer: Um, ok, sure. Let's go back to a happier time. So, you and your brothers spent six and a half years on the show – what do you feel you brought to it?

Vest: (takes deep breath)This is difficult to talk about, I'm sorry. I felt we were a visual and physical representation of the character's state of mind and personality. We were a small, but vitally important (not to mention extremely elegant) piece in reflecting this symbolism.

Interviewer: I underst—

Vest: (breaking in) We were HUGE. We made that character what he is! When you think of Patrick Jane, you think of us. The vests!

Interviewer: Mm-hm, I totally see—

Vest: (bitter, muttering) Should never have gotten rid of us.

Interview: I think the fan base would definitely agree with you there.

Vest: (gesticulates wildly; button flies off) That's because they understand. They have sense. You know, don't you, that the popularity of vests [waistcoats] has SOARED since 2008? It's something I like to call "The Jane and His Vest Effect".

Interview: (Well-meaningly) Very true. You definitely won't be out of work for long.

Vest: (glares)

Interviewer: Um. Do you miss Simon?

Vest: I think the question should be "Does Simon miss us?"

Interviewer: (pause) Does he?

Vest: I prefer not to answer that. You can make up your own mind.

Interviewer: Right. Let's just—

Vest: We fit hand-in-glove, chest-in-VEST, if you will, is all I'm saying.

Interviewer: I'm sure you do. I just have one—

Vest: (bursts into tears)

Interviewer: (horrified)

Vest: (removes hankie from striped breast pocket) This has been an incredibly painful time for us.

Interviewer: (soothingly) Of course, of course. But you never know: perhaps you'll be back next year…? I'm sure the fans would love it.

Vest: They said there might be an opportunity for a guest appearance in Season 7. To be honest, I'm not sure I want to. I don't think I'm over this yet.

Interviewer: (at a loss). Well, alrighty then. Thank you for talking to us. We wish you the best of luck.

Vest: (inaudible mumbling about "nothing but jumped-up Hawaiian shirts")