The Good Ship Murder bosses brutally kill off huge star just minutes into Channel 5 Christmas special

THE Good Ship Murder bosses brutally killed of a huge star just minutes into the Channel 5 Christmas special.

The hit murder mystery drama, which stars ex Coronation Street actors Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley, follows the crime-solving duo as they investigate murder mysteries aboard a luxury cruise ship.

After the success of its first season, The Good Ship Murder returned to our screens with a Christmas special.

In the festive episode, the ship’s resident Santa fell ill with shingles, threatening to disappoint all the ship's passengers.

Bev (Catherine Tyldesley) put Jack (Shayne Ward) in charge of finding a replacement Santa, but sitting behind them was a soap legend.

Buddy played by Cliff Parisi just bombed at a comedy club in Dubrovnik after his jokes failed to amuse his audience.

He was struggling in Dubrovnik to make a living and after overhearing their conversation he stood up and offered his help.

However, just after he started his duties as the new on-board Santa he received a mysterious phone call.

And he rushed off the ship to meet the caller before the ship set sail.

As he waited in a dark alleyway in Dubrovnik, someone walked towards him and viewers heard him say: "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry"

But within minutes poor old Santa was stabbed in the chest and died.

The ship's crime-solving duo then had to investigate if it was a heartbroken husband, a grieving wife, or the comedy club owner who had killed poor Santa Claus.

Cliff is best known for playing fan favourite Rick "Minty" Peterson in the long running BBC soap EastEnders.

Minty was originally scripted as a guest character in 2002 and only due to appear in a few episodes, but Cliff's contract was extended and Minty was turned into a series regular. 

In April 2010, despite being a fan favourite, it was reported that the character was to be axed, and his last appearance was broadcast on 21 September 2010.

Minty arrived in Albert Square in 2002 as the landlord of Kenwyn House, where he rented bedsits to troublesome tenant Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks), her enemy Laura Beale (Hannah Waterman) and later the great Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement).

He then had a host of storylines including working for Phil Mitchell (Steve Robert McFadden) and falling in love with Phil's sister Sam (Kim Medcalf).

During his time on the soap, Minty also formed a close friendship with his co-worker Garry Hobbs (Ricky Groves) at Phil's garage which led to some hilarious comedy scenes.

But Minty was never lucky in love.

He married Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison), but broke her heart when he revealed that he only saw Heather as a friend, and as the marriage was never consummated, Heather arranged an annulment.

Later on the couple decided to give it another go but then Heather discovered him kissing Sam.

Heather then realised she is not what he really wanted and split up with him once more.

Since leaving the BBC show, Cliff has played Fred Buckle in Call The Midwife since 2012.

In addition, he appeared in episodes of shows such as Outnumbered and Hollyoaks.

Recently, fans of the show have suggested he should make a return to Walford to help Phil Mitchell who is having a hard time.

The Good Ship Murder Christmas Special is available to stream on My5.