Death in Paradise fans beg 'bring back Ralf Little' as newbie Don Gilet divides opinion

Death in Paradise newbie Mervin Wilson (played by Don Gilet) has divided opinion (Image: BBC)

Poor Inspector Mervin Wilson, played by Death in Paradise newbie Don Gilet, isn't enjoying his time on Saint Marie, the BBC show's fictional Caribbean island around 70 miles away from Martinique.

The detective's ulterior motive for heading to the island where he was born is to track down an estranged mum he's "never met" - but personal life aside, he quickly finds himself the murder suspect in his own investigation. Meanwhile, his blunt comments have made him unpopular with island residents - and fans on X have had mixed reactions too.

Though Don Gilet went down a storm on shows like EastEnders, Doctor Who and Holby City, some fans are missing former inspector Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little - and it seems he's a tough act to follow. One viewer declared: "Bring back Neville! Not sure I like this new DI!"

Another agreed: "Can’t take to this new DI. I wish they’d kept the usual kind of DI character #DeathInParadise." A third savagely described him as a "shocking" actor, while a fourth quipped of his blunt attitude: "Mervin’s a bit rude, especially to the ladies! #DeathInParadise."

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Mervin had made it clear from the beginning that he wasn't enjoying his time in the Caribbean and couldn't wait to return to London, exclaiming at one point: "It's so damn quiet here - there's literally no-one here", before being reminded that it was Christmas Day. His colleague shot back that it was hard not to take his constant complaints about the island personally - and he'd said far worse earlier in the show.

READ MORE: Death in Paradise star 'almost left show on first day' after facing fan backlash [LATEST]

Don Gilet channels DI Mervin Wilson in Death in Paradise's Christmas special (Image: BBC)

"This dude ain't going to last long if he keeps disrespecting women like that," commented one of his character.

Another predicted that he risked Catherine Bordey (played by Elizabeth Bourgine) "slapping him into politeness" like she had done to the likes of the late Richard Poole (Ben Miller) on previous occasions.

Meanwhile, even his colleagues are questioning whether the newcomer could be guilty of a grisly murder.

Viewers at home responded gleefully to the tension on-screen, with one exclaiming: "They think the guy investigating the crimes is the murderer. That's some Agatha Christie level of thinking, and I am here for it!"

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Ralf Little was Don Gilet's Death in Paradise predecessor (Image: BBC)

Despite clocking instantly that he was "brusque" and "blunt" - and that his new colleagues weren't "loving it" - some have given support for the new arrival.

One empathised: "The change over of DI in Death in Paradise is a bit like the change over of The Doctor in Doctor Who. Weird at first & you keep expecting to see the face you know & love, but you're sure before long it will feel like the new guy's always been there."

"Every detective who’s been in #DeathInParadise has their own quirks & personality but it works, every single time, it works," declared another.

Someone else added: "Whatever happens, let's have some respect for Don Gilet. he's an actor who has more than paid his dues, but stepping into a show that's been running for 13 years, as the now 5th Inspector - that's daunting #deathinparadise."

Express.co.uk previously told of how Don had almost walked out on his first day of filming after facing a backlash - but it's likely that, given time to grow into his role, he'll become as popular as his predecessor Ralf Little.

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