The real-life reasons that BBC’s Death in Paradise cast have quit in the past as Ralf Little ‘quits’ show after four years as DI Neville Parker

The lead detectives in Death In Paradise were all lured to the fictional island of Saint Marie by the warm weather and idyllic lifestyle, but so far none of the actors playing the roles have stayed long-term.

During the thirteen series, four actors have taken on the role of lead detective on the island, including Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ralf Little.

Speculation is mounting that Ralf, 44, will be the latest star to leave the show after taking over as DI Neville Parker midway through series nine.

The series, which was shot in Guadeloupe and has featured more than 70 murders, sees its current series end on Sunday evening.

There is talk that the episode will be the final appearance of Ralf’s character Neville on the programme, the longest running DI on the show.

A show source told the Mirror: ‘Ralf was brilliant in the role and he gave it a good long run. Fans will certainly be sad to see him go, but they will also be happy for Neville.”

During the penultimate episode of the series, Neville hinted at his replacement when he said he had to make a list of his lizard Harry’s nutritional needs for them.

Neville has spoken of a ‘journey’ he will take to find The One after failing to find love on the island.

The reason for the escape was the arrival of his ex-girlfriend, who came looking for him in the hope of rekindling their relationship.

The first actor to take on the role of Saint Marie’s detective inspector was Ben Miller, who played DI Richard Poole.

Despite hating the place upon arrival and throughout the first series, Richard eventually settled into island life.

However, tragedy struck at the end of series three when DI Poole was murdered with an ice pack after discovering the mystery of a stolen identity.

Ben’s departure was orchestrated after he discovered he was about to become a father.

He previously said: ‘Two weeks after I arrived in the Caribbean, Jessica found out she was pregnant.’

‘I just got divorced and finally met someone and now I’m on the other side of the world and we’re having a baby.

“That’s a real curveball to be on the end of. So I knew what I had to do to get my wife back: quit Death in Paradise!’

Ben returned to the show during its 10th anniversary and has not ruled out a return to the program in the future.

In 2016, he told Digital Spy: ‘Yes, of course I would. It would be a lot of fun! I love the character, he’s fantastic fun to do. But that’s not the case at all, to be honest. It was pretty final, I thought!’

The next actor to step into the role was My Family’s Kris Marshall, who played the bumbling DI Humphrey Goodman.

His character found love on the island at DS Bordey and seemed much better adapted to the lifestyle than his predecessor.

During the show, DI Goodman decided to stay with Martha in London after completing a case. But in reality, he left the show to focus on his family in 2017.

He told Radio Times that he had made an agreement with his wife Hannah to only do the show ‘for a few years’.

He said: ‘It’s something my wife and I talked about three or four years ago. ‘When I was first offered the job, my son was six months old and my wife wasn’t working, so it was a very easy decision.

“We decided I would do Death in Paradise for a few years until it became impractical. It was always a finite matter. I certainly haven’t hidden it from everyone I work with. I’m going to miss it terribly. There have been times when I’ve thought to myself, “Did I make the right decision?”

In June 2021, he told Lorraine Kelly: “I realized I really needed to get my son to school. He became a bit too Caribbean; he refused to wear shoes and only drank coconut water and ate pineapple.”

He continued: ‘He was very good at the beach, but not so good at maths and English, so I decided it was time to take him to school. So the show actually had to go. But six months later I’m standing on a film set in a car park in Dagenham at 4am and I’m thinking: ‘Did I make the right decision?’

Following his departure, Father Ted actor Ardal O’Hanlon joined the show as DI Jack Mooney as holiday cover, before staying on for the next three years.

DI Mooney left sunny shores to return to London with his daughter Siobhan, rather than pursue a romance with love interest Anna.

About his departure, Ardal said: “I spent the last four summers in Guadeloupe playing Inspector Jack Mooney and solved more than twenty murder cases during my time there.”

“It was an immensely rewarding and unforgettable experience, working with incredibly talented actors, directors and crew while discovering a magical part of the world.”

He hinted that there was more to his departure, adding: “It’s time to move on and explore other options, preferably closer to the Arctic Circle.”