‘Don’t end like that!’ rant Death in Paradise fans as they’re left screaming at screens by legendary character’s exit
DEATH in Paradise fans are praying DI Neville Parker hasn’t left the detective drama for good, despite the fact he boarded a plane at the end of Sunday’s episode.
Last night, Neville (portrayed by Ralf Little) said goodbye to all his friends on Saint Marie — but viewers are hoping he’s not gone for good.
What happened in Episode 7?
Last night the penultimate episode of Death in Paradise’s thirteenth series aired on BBC One, but it ended with a major cliffhanger.
Throughout the episode, Neville was preparing to depart Saint Marie to go travelling and hopefully find a new love.
Fans have watched the unlucky-in-love character had his heart broken by the lying Zoe (Taj Atwal). And before that, Neville was separated from Florence (Joséphine Jobert) when she was placed in witness protection.
During a heart to heart with Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson), Neville revealed that he feels it’s time to travel away from the island to meet a new life partner.
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But as he made his plans to leave, Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) delivered the news that Florence was heading back home.
Neville and Florence shared a brief reunion on video chat. Telling Florence of his plans, Neville said: “I am at the airport, I just had my leaving drinks. The Commissioner made a little speech, broadly complimentary, it’s the nicest he’s ever been to me. The only thing missing was you.”
“I am sorry,” Florence replied, but Neville interrupted: “No need to apologise, not your fault.”
After hanging up, Neville went to board his flight to Dominica.
But did Neville actually get on the plane, or did speaking to Florence make him change his mind?
As the episode ended on a major “to be continued” cliffhanger, fans are hoping the show isn’t going to end like that.
“Nooooo, no way did it end like that!” one viewer moaned on X, formerly Twitter.
“He’s leaving on a jet plane. Don’t know if we will see him again. Oh no, I think I am going to cry,” another devastated fan wrote.
A third agreed: If Florence and Neville don’t end up together, what’s the point?
“You can’t leave it like that!” raged another.
A fifth pleaded: “Noooo don’t end it like that.”
“Nooooo, you can’t leave it there,” urged another. (sic)
Another fan agreed, saying a reunion between Neville and Florence has to be on the cards. “Florence is back! Now all that needs to happen is her and Neville - pleeeaaase!” (sic)
So, will Neville and Florence reunite or was last night’s episode really his swan song?
Who were the lead detectives on Death in Paradise?
1. Ben Miller (Series 1 - 3)
Ben Miller was the first actor to star as a detective transferred to the island when he played DI Richard Poole. Despite his prickly nature, viewers soon warmed up to him and they were left devastated when he was tragically killed off at the beginning of series three when he was stabbed by an ice pick by an old university friend. In reality, Ben chose to exit the series because he had a baby on the way and wanted to spend more time at home.
2. Kris Marshall (Series 3 - 6)
Kris Marshall’s Humphrey Goodman took over from Richard Poole when he was brought in to solve his murder. The goofy detective led the show for three seasons but eventually rekindled his romance with Marth Lloyd (Sally Bretton) and decided to move back to the U.K. to be with her. Like Ben, Kris was struggling being away from his young family for six months out of the year.
3. Ardal O'Hanlon (Series 6 - 9)
Ardal O’Hanlon took over from Kris as the amiable widower Jack Mooney. He left after three seasons, believing he had exhausted the role of Jack. “I think we had a great ride and it was a fantastic time and I think it was high time to move on,” he said at the time of his departure. The character moved back to the U.K. to be closer to his daughter.
4. Ralf Little (Series 9 - 13)
Ralf Little joined the series as DI Neville Parker at the beginning of series 9 and is now the longest reigning lead detective on the BBC drama. He has been through many highs and lows during his tenure – but will this season be his last?
Ralf Little recently opened up about Neville’s future
Despite Neville’s supposed exit last night, Death in Paradise fans shouldn’t completely rule out seeing Neville and Florence get back together.
Star Ralf Little recently opened up about Neville’s future and admitted he doesn’t know what’s next for his character.
Speaking in an Instagram Live, Ralf answered a question about whether he would be continuing on the detective drama beyond series 13.
He admitted: “I don’t know. I have no idea, I’m not gonna swerve answering the question. I don’t know. I don’t know which direction they’re gonna go in.
“I have honestly no idea and they haven’t told me. Maybe they had no idea yet.”
Ralf noted that he’s just as in the dark as viewers about the future of the show.
He said: “I like the rest of you are going to be just sitting and asking, ‘Who’s next?’ Who knows? No idea. But we’ll see what happens.”
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This means Neville could change his mind and decide to stay in Saint Marie. All will be revealed in Sunday’s finale.
The finale of Death in Paradise series 13 airs on BBC One on Sunday at 9pm. Previous episodes are available to stream on iPlayer.