JOB IN PARADISE
Doc Martin star set to replace Ralf Little on Death In Paradise, say bookies after a rush of bets
The actor in the running is a much-loved star who shot to fame on Men Behaving Badly
DEATH In Paradise fans were left gutted when Ralf Little bowed out of the show for good.
The actor has played DI Neville Parker in the Caribbean crime-drama for four years, but now the race is on to find out who will replace him - with one leading actor emerging as a new favourite.
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The bookies have now given their tips on who will play the next lead role in Death In Paradise, and take over from Ralf, 44.
Betting shop Betfred are tipping Doc Martin's leading star Martin Clunes, 62. as a hot contender to bag the job with odds of 6/1.
Just in front of him is The Inbetweeners star Simon Bird, 39, who is 3/1.
Betfred’s Kayley Cornelius said: “While Simon Bird still remains the firm favourite to replace Ralf Little, we could expect to see his 3/1 odds shorten in the coming weeks after a new fan favourite, Martin Clunes, has emerged.
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"As the Doc Martin star continues to be heavily backed by punters to be the next DI Neville Parker, we have witnessed him skyrocket in the betting markets and he now sits as a close second favourite with 6/1 odds.
"With these odds expected to change in Clunes’ favour, it’s likely only a matter of time before he becomes the new frontrunner.
Gavin and Stacey star Matthew Horne is next best in the betting at 5/1, and Diane Morgan and Romesh Ranganathan both at 8/1.
Martin shot to fame on the hit comedy Men Behaving Badly in the 90s, and has since switched to more series shows like ITV's Manhunt.
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However, these days he best known for playing the formidable Doc Martin in the hugely popular show.
The much-loved show came to an end in 2022 after 18 years on the box, meaning Martin will be on the look out for his next big role.
Meanwhile, actor Ralf confirmed last month he had quit the show.
Death in Paradise fans spot clue Ralf Little will return to hit show as his last episode airs
In a statement he said: “My time on Saint Marie has come to an end – what an end!
“New adventures await Neville, and he got to sail away into the sunset with his best friend. Who knows what happens for them next!
“I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who watched and supported the show when I arrived four and a half years ago.”
It took less than 0.005 seconds to say yes to playing the new DI! How could I not? It is a joy to play Neville and I can’t wait for viewers to see him in paradise.
Ralf Little in 2019
He added: “I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s been the ride of a lifetime”.
Ralf called joining the show his "dream role" when he was announced as the latest cast leading man in 2019.
He said at the time: “It took less than 0.005 seconds to say yes to playing the new DI!
"How could I not? It is a joy to play Neville and I can’t wait for viewers to see him in paradise.”
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He followed in the footsteps of Ben Miller, Kris Marshall and Ardal O’Hanlon by fronting the beloved show.
Last month fans saw Ralf's final scenes in Death In Paradise.
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The series came to an end with him sailing off into the sunset with DS Florence Cassell.
The good news is there will be feature-length Christmas special this year, followed by a new series in 2025.
Timeline of Death In Paradise detectives
Death In Paradise started in 2011 and has welcomed four detectives so far to the island.
These are all of the actors who have played the lead detective in the hit BBC series so far:
Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole - Actor Ben played the first ever detective from season 1 to 2, and then returned as a guest star in the third and tenth series.
Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman. Next up My Family star took on the role for three years from series 3 to 6.
Ardal O’Hanlon as as DI Jack Mooney. Father Ted star Ardal was a fan favourite and was the detective for three season from series 6 to 9.
as as DI Neville Parker. The actor started in 2019 and is the longest running star to have the detective role. He was on the show for four season from 9 to 13.
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