sentences:  However, in "Life on Mars," Carling feels threatened by Hunt and Tyler's relationship feeling "mortified that he's lost his mate and drinking partner", whereas Chris Skelton finds his loyalty "torn between Gene and Sam".Gene Hunt has been described as a "national hero" by "The Independent" newspaper and as a character "taken to the nation's hearts" by "The Guardian".The character was voted the United Kingdom's favourite television hero in 2008, receiving over 25% of the popular vote, ahead of both "24"'s Jack Bauer and The Doctor.