Return to Paradise has introduced an entirely new team Down Under but what should fans know about the star behind DS Colin Cartwright?
The Death in Paradise universe has expanded once again with the Australian based Return to Paradise, focussing on DI Mackenzie Clarke (played by Anna Samson) who makes a comeback to her hometown.
Among those at the very beginning was Colin Cartwright (Lloyd Griffith) who was keen to get his hands on her job but with the series now underway, what is there to know about the actor away from the show?
Unexpected first career
While 41-year-old Lloyd is best known as a comedian, both in stand-up and on television, he initially pursued the life of a classical choral singer, originally training at the University of Exeter.
But following a move to London and a night out in Shoreditch in 2008 to a stand-up comedy gig, Lloyd knew he had to do something very different with his life.
Speaking to Leeds Heritage Theatres, he shared: “Lee Hurst was hosting and the acts were Milton Jones, Stefano Paolini and Micky Flanagan.
“None of them had done any TV at the time and I just lost my mind. I could not believe this existed. So I just became obsessed with comedy.”
Inside Return to Paradise star Lloyd Griffith’s life off-screen from £6k surgery to reason for Soccer AM exit (Image: BBC)
Actor and comedian Lloyd Griffith featured in Apple TV ‘s Ted Lasso. (Image: APPLE TV PLUS)
Nevertheless, he still describes himself as an “active singer”: “I deputise in various professional choirs. I saw all my friends singing at the Queen’s funeral.
“If someone is ill or has another engagement that’s when I come in. I’m a kind of choral super sub.”
Soccer AM
Comedian Lloyd kicked off his stand-up career in 2010, swiftly moving on to contribute to the comedy short ‘Inheritance’ and entertaining the airwaves on Radio 1’s Comedy Lounge in 2014.
Concurrently working the live comedy scene, he snagged a role as a presenter on the popular Sky sports programme ‘Soccer AM’, delighting fans for two years until his planned departure.
Upon leaving, he explained on X, previously known as Twitter: “I’ve had two amazing years working on Soccer AM, however, I’ve decided to step down to focus on other projects.
“I watched the show as a kid through to an adult, so to have been able to sit on that sofa and dive around in that car park was an absolute dream come ‘true’. I’ll be tuning in every Saturday, as long as the guys can sort me out with a friends and family deal!”
It seems the exit paved the way for his acting pursuits, leading him to roles in ‘Not Going Out’, ‘Whitstable Pearl’, ‘Nolly’, ‘Ted Lasso’, and ‘The Outlaws’.
Comedian Lloyd Griffith during his stint as a presenter on Soccer AM with former footballer Matt Le Tissier. (Image: SKY)
Surgery
On a personal note, Lloyd underwent a pricey Harley Street hair transplant for £6,000 after a jarring moment being labelled “bald” by a makeup artist during his Soccer AM days.
During makeup for the show, when a dusting of black powder was applied to his head, it was explained that it was “for the cameras” to prevent light reflection from his “so the lights don’t bounce off your bald patches”.
The presenter penned an intimate piece for The Observer, detailing his transformative experience with a hair transplant procedure.
“The day itself was emotional. I’ll think back on it fondly because it felt so empowering, as if I was doing a reverse Samson and getting my strength back.
“I recognise myself a bit more now, in the mirror and also within my actual self, not just because of the hairline. It’s been the biggest journey of self discovery I’ve ever taken.”
Spin-off
Delving into his latest role, Lloyd has been captivating audiences as DS Colin Cartwright in the ‘s Return to Paradise, the eagerly anticipated second Death in Paradise spin-off.
When quizzed by the about his most memorable moment filming the first series, he humorously recalled: “My favourite moment, without a shadow of a doubt, was one of my first scenes with Glenn Strong, played by Tai Hara, where he comes out of the sea in a wetsuit, and I have to ‘act’ like I’m kind of obsessed with him, and mesmerized by him.
He amusingly added: “I kept mucking up my lines just to keep watching him come in and out of the sea again.”
Return to Paradise continues every Friday at 8pm on One and iPlayer.