BBC1 crime drama Death In Paradise will return for an eighth series without much-loved Officer Dwayne Myers.
Actor Danny John-Jules has decided to leave the show, which he has been in from the very first episode back in 2011.
The BBC has confirmed that filming for the 2019 run has begun without the 57-year-old, also famous for his role as Cat in sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf.
But viewers will be relieved to know his character is not being killed off, unlike Ben Miller’s DI Richard Poole at the start of series three, and bosses are keeping the door open for a return at a later date.
Series producer Tim Key said: “We’re very sad to have said goodbye to Danny, whose brilliant performance as Dwayne has helped make the show such a success.
“We wish Danny all the very best and look forward to working with him again.
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“But it’s wonderful to be back in Guadeloupe with our fantastic cast and crew to get stuck in to some more intriguing murder mysteries in the Caribbean sun.
“We can’t wait for the audience to see what we’ve got in store.”
It is understood Danny wanted to leave on a high to pursue other acting work.
Officer Dwayne Myers will be replaced at Saint Marie police station by Commissioner Patterson’s niece, Ruby, played by Shyko Amos.
Tim added: “We’re delighted to welcome Shyko to the team. She’s a really exciting young actor who has already made a huge impact on set as Officer Ruby Patterson.”
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Shyko said: “There is nothing quite like Death In Paradise on TV and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that I’ve joined such a massively popular show.
“It’s given me a butterfly or two but I’m very excited. Officer Ruby Patterson is a bundle of joy.
“I am very excited for Death In Paradise viewers to experience her as the new member of the already amazing law enforcement team of Saint Marie.”
The new recruit will be solving crimes on the fictional Caribbean island alongside the team led by DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O’Hanlon).
* Death In Paradise returns to BBC1 in early 2019.
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