Death in Paradise star Ardal O’Hanlon's show admission: ‘I wasn’t fit enough for the job’

Death In Paradise actor Ardal O’Hanlon, 54, revealed he was leaving the detective drama after three years back in October. The former Father Ted star has now opened up about his debut on the popular BBC series.

The actor revealed he made a “conscious effort” to get back into shape during the first series of the drama, saying his body was not cut out for the change in climate.

Death In Paradise is filmed on the French island of Guadeloupe which is located in the Lesser Antilles – a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea.

Ardal said the “heat and humidity” on the island had him sweating most days, which was a big “wake-up call”.

Speaking to Radio Times, he said: “I had to make a conscious effort to get much fitter and live cleaner out there. Within two days of arriving I realised I wasn’t fit enough for the job. It was a big wake-up call.

“I needed to up my game and have more energy. I started to exercise more, eat healthier and not drink as much.”

He said of filming in the fictional island of Saint-Marie: “The heat and humidity when you first step off the plane are astonishing.

“You’re wet in the morning, wet in the night, wet in your costumes, wet in your bed. You’re damp for months on end.”

Despite this, the actor said his time on the show was “incredible” and “hugely enjoyable”.

He added that he was “relieved” to no longer have to film away from home and miss time with his family.

The small-screen star also admitted his stint on the show was a “tough gig” and he soon realised it had become “physically draining”.

Speaking to the same publication, he said: “It’s a tough gig, physically draining. You’re working in incredible conditions and cannot sustain the intensity.”

Ardal, who is also a comedian, is leaving the show to focus on his upcoming stand-up tour and to spend more time with his family.

The on-screen regular has three children: Emily, 22, Rebecca, 20, and Redmond, 17 with his wife Emily.

The actor has since turned his focus to his stand-up tour, which kicks off next month.

Meanwhile, Ardal has been replaced by actor Ralf Little, 39, who will be taking on a new role as DI Neville Parker, a Manchester detective dispatched to the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie when a woman from his home city is murdered.

Speaking about his new gig, the former Two Pints of Lager and A Packet of Crisps star, admitted he couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

“It took less than 0.005 seconds to say yes to playing the new DI! How could I not?” Ralf explained.

He added: “Ardal has been wonderful in the last few series and to follow in his footsteps in a place as idyllic as Guadeloupe was a great honour and a dream come true. It is a joy to play Neville and I can’t wait for viewers to see him in Paradise this series.”

Ralf is due to appear in the BBC drama halfway through the series.

Death In Paradise continues tomorrow at 9pm on BBC One. Read the full interview in Radio Times – out now.

source: express.co.uk