Harry Potter star ‘set to replace Ralf Little on Death In Paradise’ say bookies – after Doc Martin rumours
It came after they faced a whopper tax bill last year
A TOP Harry Potter star is tipped to replace Ralf Little on Death in Paradise.
It comes after Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes was also hailed as a frontrunner for the BBC TV role.
Death In Paradise actor Ralf, who plays Detective Inspector Neville Parker, confirmed last month he had quit the show.
Now Harry Potter icon Rupert Grint – best known for playing Ron Weasley – is top of the odds for the next series.
Bookies told us he is placed with 6-4 odds, with the figures slashed from an initial 6-1.
Coral’s John Hill told us: “Rupert Grint is proving very popular in our next Death In Paradise lead detective betting.
“The actor’s odds have been slashed from 6-1 to 6-4, and he now tops the betting to replace Ralf Little.”
Tax-ing matters
The potential new gig could come after we reported how Rupert faced a £86K tax bill last year.
It came amid a row due to his plans to create his own Hogsmeade-style village on the land of his £5million Hertfordshire property.
The Hollywood star has a reported £42 million fortune and a massive property portfolio.
Clunes clues?
While Rupert might be topping the charts for Coral, Martin Clunes is also a hot favourite.
Betting shop Betfred are tipping Doc Martin‘s leading star Martin Clunes, 62. as a hot contender to bag the job with odds of 6/1.
Betfred’s Kayley Cornelius said: “While Simon Bird still remains the firm favourite to replace Ralf Little, we could expect to see his 3/1 odds shorten in the coming weeks after a new fan favourite, Martin Clunes, has emerged.
“As the Doc Martin star continues to be heavily backed by punters to be the next DI Neville Parker, we have witnessed him skyrocket in the betting markets and he now sits as a close second favourite with 6/1 odds.
“With these odds expected to change in Clunes’ favour, it’s likely only a matter of time before he becomes the new frontrunner.”
Martin could have a slot in his diary free after his role on much-loved show Doc Martin came to an end in 2022, after 18 years on the box.
All change
Meanwhile, Ralf recently announced his Death In Paradise departure – much to the dismay of fans.
In a statement he said: “My time on Saint Marie has come to an end – what an end!
“New adventures await Neville, and he got to sail away into the sunset with his best friend. Who knows what happens for them next!
Timeline of Death In Paradise detectives
Death In Paradise started in 2011 and has welcomed four detectives so far to the island.
These are all of the actors who have played the lead detective in the hit BBC series so far:
Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole – Actor Ben played the first ever detective from season 1 to 2, and then returned as a guest star in the third and tenth series.
Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman. Next up My Family star took on the role for three years from series 3 to 6.
Ardal O’Hanlon as as DI Jack Mooney. Father Ted star Ardal was a fan favourite and was the detective for three season from series 6 to 9.
as as DI Neville Parker. The actor started in 2019 and is the longest running star to have the detective role. He was on the show for four season from 9 to 13.
“I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who watched and supported the show when I arrived four and a half years ago.”
He added: “I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s been the ride of a lifetime.”
He was announced as the show’s leading man in 2019.
