A Death In Paradise star has broken his silence about his character being brutally sacked in the new series. 

The wildly popular drama sees a string of detectives tackle crime on the tropical island of Saint Marie. 

Don Gilet, 57, recently made an entrance on the show’s Christmas special, as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson.

The new detective caused a stir amongst his new colleagues with his bristly personality and straight-talking ways.

He was a completely different character to a more timid Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, who his co-workers question whether he is good enough to replace. 

However, further disturbance is to come to Honore Police Station in the fourteenth series as it has been revealed that Commissioner Selwyn Patterson’s job is set to be terminated, The Mirror reported.

The wildly popular drama sees a string of detectives tackle crime on the tropical island of Saint Marie

Further disturbance is to come to Honore Police Station in the fourteenth series as it was revealed Commissioner Selwyn Patterson’s (right) job is set to be terminated

Don Warrington, 73, who plays the Commissioner, has revealed how his character feels about the revelation.

‘He’s shocked. It’s not what he expected. It comes as a bold from the blue,’ he elaborated.

‘He has to deal with a situation that he hadn’t expected, and it’s making a big change in his life, in his status. He has to work through a crisis, really.’

The actor shared that the plot twist will impact the rest of the island and other characters. 

Mayor Catherine Bordey, portrayed by Elizabeth Bourgine, could play an important role in the situation.

The actress teased: ‘She will be, even with Selwyn, helpful as a mayor and as a friend.

‘Because she can have the mayor power and do things. And as a friend, she can be very nice, tender, warm or angry.’

Elizabeth added that Catherine’s character will be shown in different lights in the new series. 

It was recently revealed that the fourteenth season of the show, which has been on screens since 2011, will air from January 31.

Don Gilet, 57, recently made an entrance on the show’s Christmas special, as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson (pictured)

Don Warrington (left), who plays the Commissioner, has revealed how his character feels about the revelation

The actor shared that the plot twist will impact the rest of the island and other characters

Death In Paradise’s 9pm time slot will cause waves on other channels, with Channel 5 forced to move their flagship mystery series The Good Ship Murder to 8pm to avoid a clash.

The drama follows former Coronation Street stars Shayne Ward, 40, and Catherine Tyldesley, 41, as they try to crack cases aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Viewers were left frustrated by the time slot clash with BBC’s The Traitors and will be grateful to learn the Channel 5 series will not clash with Death In Paradise either.

Unfortunately Don’s appearance as Mervin in the Christmas special was not welcomed by some fans. 

One X user went as far as to say the character should be killed off: ‘It’s only one episode but not gonna lie, Don’t like new inspector Melvin, Hope he goes, maybe murdered, that’ll be cool.’

Another added: ‘Worst detective inspector ever I certainly won’t be watching anymore.’

Don Warrington as the Commissioner with Detective Inspector Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, in Death in Paradise

But some disagreed, with one viewer saying: ‘Don Gilet is fabulous in Death in Paradise – at last an actor in the role. A proper breath of fresh air.’

Another posted: ‘I like the new inspector Mervin Wilson, I can see a romance hatching between him and DS Naomi Thomas.’ 

Death in Paradise, filmed on the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe, was the UK’s most watched returning drama in 2024 across all broadcasters and streamers and aired in more than 230 territories across the globe.

All series of Death In Paradise are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.