Death In Paradise: Ardal O'Hanlon has quit as Jack Mooney after three years

10 October 2019, 08:00 | Updated: 10 October 2019, 08:01

Death in Paradise has claimed its latest victim.

Ardal O’Hanlon will make his final appearance during the next series of BBC One crime caper Death in Paradise next year.

Father Ted star Ardal joined the sunny detective drama as DI Jack Mooney after the Caribbean police team followed a case to London, and brought him back to the fictional island of Saint Marie.

Sadly, after three years of leading the team, the Irish actor has decided to leave the show.

He said: “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.

"However, it’s time to move on and explore other opportunities - preferably nearer the Arctic Circle. I’m confident that Death in Paradise will go from strength to strength and viewers will share my enthusiasm for Jack’s successor!”

Ardal will leave the show during series nine, which will air in January 2020. However, it has not been revealed how he departs.

This follows the exits of previous leads Ben Miller as Richard Poole (who was killed off after two series), and Kris Marshall and Humphrey Goodman, who returned to the UK with the love of his life.

There are only two actors who have been in the show since it launched in 2011: Elizabeth Bourgine as Catherine, and Don Warrington as Commissioner Selwyn Patterson.