Death in Paradise returns to BBC One with Mervin Wilson (played by Don Gilet) finally starting to embrace life on Saint Marie. He attends a local women’s football game, only to find at half-time the star player is found dead in the locker room.
Mervyn feels the pressure from Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) after the murder took place in plain sight. As viewers are adjusting to the latest member of the team, they have been reminiscing over their favourite detectives from years past.
Ardal O’Hanlon joined the series as DI Jack Mooney in season six and he was introduced as a recent widower grieving the loss of his wife. He stayed with the team until season nine, when he realised he was ready to come to terms with his loss and return to London with his daughter.
On his exit, he announced: “I’ve spent the last four summers in Guadeloupe playing DI Jack Mooney, solving over 20 murder cases in my time there. It’s been a hugely rewarding and unforgettable experience, working with incredibly talented actors, directors, and crew while discovering a magical part of the world.”
His decision was influenced by a wish to return to stand-up comedy and to spend more time with family, telling OK!: “I suppose I didn’t think I’d be doing anything for a fourth series. I really thought three series would be the max, you know.
Ardal O’Hanlon joined the cast in season six (Image: BBC)
“Because it’s quite a demanding show… it’s a tough old show in terms of being away from home for so long and in terms of the conditions that you film in the heat and the humidity.”
“I think [Melanie – his wife] found it very tough because we’ve got three big grown-up kids living in the house and she’s got a lot on her plate, so I think she was finding it tougher as the years went on.
“And I was missing them all hugely as well, so I think it made sense.”
Plenty of fans have taken to to name him the best inspector of the series, with Ged_UK saying: “I always liked Jack. Down to earth, realistic and actually fitted in.”
Plastic-Leek-3306 affirmed: “I love Death in Paradise because it’s a warm and feel good show, despite the murder. I think Jack adds to that the best so it’s always him for me.”
Don’t miss… [DISCUSSION]
Ardal O’Hanlon admitted he missed his family (Image: BBC)
Steve3146 added: “Jack definitely, the fish out of water English detective was such a cliche after a while, Jack was a breath of fresh air.
“I loved the way he was polite but very rude in his questioning. He’d clasp his hands together and say something like, ‘I’m so sorry for your loss…. but how long have you known your wife was having an affair.’”
Carolinagirl9311 shared: “Definitely Jack for me. So personable which is a wonderful trait.”
While Domak04 concluded: “Jack! He’s a very warm, realistic, down to earth kinda character who brought such a dad vibe to the role!”
Death in Paradise airs on One on Fridays at 9pm