Death In Paradise role for My Family star Kris Marshall

Kris Marshall from My Family has been cast in Death In Paradise (PA)

My Family star Kris Marshall is joining the cast of Caribbean crime drama Death In Paradise, taking over from Ben Miller.

BBC bosses are keeping tight-lipped about how and exactly when Miller's character, DI Richard Poole, will exit the show, but Marshall will play the new lead detective, DI Humphrey Goodman.

Miller said: "I have absolutely loved my time on Death In Paradise and am sad to be leaving such a successful show. However, DI Poole has made no secret of his struggle with the Caribbean heat, so I felt now was a good time to put him out of his misery.

"I know Kris will do a superb job and I'm delighted to be handing over the detective baton to him."

Marshall will join regulars Sara Martins, Danny John-Jules, Gary Carr and Don Warrington when filming starts in Guadeloupe next month.

He said: "I am thrilled to be joining Death In Paradise and finding out a bit more about what makes Humphrey tick. Six months filming on a tropical island with an amazing cast and glorious sunshine? What isn't there to love? I might even get myself a parrot."

PA