BBC Death in Paradise viewers spot former Coronation Street star in surprise guest role… years after he played a teenage goth on the ITV soap
Death In Paradise viewers were shocked to see a former Coronation Street star in a guest role in the latest episode of the hit BBC drama.
Richard Fleeshman, 34, appeared as a teenager on ITV1 soap opera in the early 2000s, but popped up in Sunday night’s episode of BBC drama Death In Paradise, playing Taylor Fielding in the series 13 final.
One viewer took to X – formerly known as Twitter – and said: ‘Great to see Richard Fleeshman #deathinparadise’
Another said: ‘Ohhh, it’s Richard Fleeshman! #deathinparadise’
A third said: ‘He’s come a long way since Corrie. #deathinparadise!’
Death In Paradise viewers were shocked to see a former Coronation Street star in a guest role in the latest episode of the hit BBC drama
Richard Fleeshman played Craig Harris in Coronation Street (pictured alongside Helen Flanagan as Rosie Webster in January 2005)
Viewers were thrilled to see Richard Fleeshman back on screen, years after he left Coronation Street
The actor joined Coronation Street in 2002 with his mother Angela Harris (Kathryn Hunt), father Tommy Harris (Thomas Craig) and sister Katy Harris (Lucy-Jo Hudson), a family in the witness protection program.
Craig’s most notable storylines included taking on a goth persona – much to his father’s dismay – and becoming Rosie Webster’s (Helen Flanagan) first boyfriend.
The family was torn apart when Katy murdered her father during a heated argument about her infamous affair with Martin Platt (Sean Wilson) and Angela took the blame.
Katy was wracked with guilt and took her own life. Craig later devised a plan to flee to Berlin with Rosie, but ultimately went alone and left the streets for good at the end of 2006.
In 2007, Richard – who several years earlier became the youngest contestant ever to win Celebrity Stars in their Eyes – released his debut album Neon.
Since then, Richard has forged a successful career in theatre, starring in numerous West End shows such as Ghost the Musical and Company.
On television he can be seen in Call the Midwife and since 2023 he has played Lt. James Brice in Syfy’s The Ark.
Other guest stars set to appear in this series of Death In Paradise include Disney legend Hayley Mills and EastEnders star Sean Maguire, who returned to the role of Marlon Collins after more than a decade away.
Richard’s character was involved in a number of dramatic storylines during his time on the soap (pictured alongside Jack P. Shepherd as David Platt)
The family entered the witness protection program and in later years Angela (Kathryn Hunt, centre) took the blame when her daughter Katy murdered her own father before killing herself.
Richard (center) has built a successful career in theater, as seen here in the role made famous by Patrick Swayze in a production of Ghost: The Musical
EastEnders star Sean Maguire returned to the role of Marlon Collins in Death In Paradise after more than a decade away.
Speak with The mirrorRalf Little, who plays DI Neville Parker in the series, revealed that he was thrilled to have Sean back, but also slightly annoyed that Sean managed to steal his title as the only person to ever do the show twice.
He said: “It was really exciting to see Sean Maguire come back as well. He was in the very first episode and came back to play the same character.
“That’s not really referenced in the episode, but eagle-eyed viewers will know! I met Sean a few times, and I just loved him. He was fun, funny, professional and a brilliant actor.’
‘I’m a bit annoyed though because he’s now the only other person, apart from me, who’s done the show twice! Although that said, he played the same character and I’m the only person to have done it as two different characters, so I still have that little personal milestone!’