STUNNED Death in Paradise viewers were left reeling after the latest episode as a fan favourite looks set to leave the show.
The surprise departure has left some questioning whether the Caribbean crime series, which is now in its 14th series, has much gas left in the tank.
Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington) has been a fixture of the Saint Marie crime-fighting team from the very first episode.
On Friday, he learned he was to be "phased out" due to budget cuts, with even his idyllic corner of the world not safe from economic strife.
He told his colleagues at the beach bar: "I'm afraid they can, and they are."
DI Mervin Wilson later said: "I've never met a guy like him."
Viewers aren't happy, with one writing on X: "They can’t just get rid of Selwyn as the commissioner in death in paradise what will he do?"
Another said: "I like the new guy, Mervin, on Death in Paradise. Hoping they won't get rid of the commissioner. I adore Selwyn Patterson."
A third posted: "If they remove the Excellent role of #CommissionerSelwyn, #DeathInParadise will no longer be a show worth watching. It will be Trash."
Of course, if any show can handle a big name exit, it's Death in Paradise.
It has reinvented itself multiple times over the years, successfully switching its leading man time and time again.
It began with Ben Miller as Detective Inspector Richard Poole in series one and two, then Kris Marshall took over as Humphrey Goodman; he was followed by Ardal O'Hanlon as Jack Mooney, Ralf Little had a four-series run as Neville Parker, before Don Gilet was handed the baton as Mervin Wilson.
And Mervin's tenure kicked off with a big surprise as one of his colleagues, new officer Benjamin Brice, died just minutes into the episode.
The episode opened with a monologue from Benjamin, as he reflected on his childhood struggles and his journey toward finding purpose in life.
He recalled feeling out of place in his own family.
His mother wanted him to focus on chores, while his father, a car thief, attempted to involve him in criminal activities.
Benjamin found solace in his studies and ultimately discovered his true calling at the Saint Marie police academy.
Speaking directly to the camera in a heartfelt social media post, he said: “When I completed training, I’d never felt so proud of myself. In the morning, I’ve got my first shift with the team here on Saint Marie - and I can’t wait.
"The reason I’m telling you all of this, making this post which is something I never do, is because I want you to know that if you’re feeling lost, you don’t need to go through what I did.
"You just need to find your purpose in life, like me. Once you do, nobody can take that away from you.”
But the next morning, Sergeant Naomi Thomas was puzzled by Benjamin’s absence.
Her concern quickly escalated when the station received a distressing phone call from a woman who discovered a body dressed in a police uniform.
In a devastating twist, Benjamin was found face down in the dirt where his body was discarded in a roadside ditch, still carrying his backpack for his first day on the job.
The brutal and unexpected nature of Benjamin’s death left viewers reeling.
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