Death in Paradise spoilers: Ardal O’Hanlon speaks out on show’s future after sad exit
DEATH IN PARADISE saw fans devastated last night when Florence Cassell left the programme following last week’s shocking cliffhanger which saw her life hang in the balance.
Death in Paradise: Ardal O'Hanlon discusses 'dark turn' in show
Now, DI Jack Mooney star Ardal O’Hanlon has spoken out about the future of the BBC show after the shock events.
Florence (played by Joséphine Jobert) decided to leave the island after the death of her fiancé Patrice (Leemore Marrett Jr).
She said: “Saint Marie’s a small island, and I don’t think there’s anywhere here that doesn’t have a memory of Patrice in it.”
Florence was headed for Martinique and then declared she would continue traveling afterwards in order to clear her head.
I'm sure the murder rate will continue to be high in San Marie
But could it bear an impact on the programme’s future?
Ardal appeared on Good Morning Britain today in the wake of the sad exit where hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard asked if there would be a season nine of the show.
However, Ardal said he didn’t know if there would be and that he was the “last to know”.
"I’m always the last to know! You’re asking the wrong man,” he laughed.
"I'm sure the murder rate will continue to be high in San Marie."
Viewers were beside themselves at Florence’s exit and took to Twitter to express their feelings.
One viewer shared: “Noo Florence. Literally only reason why I watch #DeathInParadise.
Another added: “Oh man, bl•••dy well crying over #DeathInParadise.”
“Noooooooo Florence don’t leave #DeathInParadise,” a third shared.
A fourth opined: “I hope Florence will return #DeathInParadise.”
“#DeathInParadise is not going to be the same without Florence. Sad to see her leave, but glad she didn't die. Thanks @Josie_official for being amazing in DIP, but people move on to new adventures in life, good luck to anything you do in the future, will look out for it,” a fifth wrote.
Addressing her fans on Twitter, Josephine said she would explain her reasons for leaving “in a few days”.
She wrote: “I just want to say thank you to every one of you for all your support and your kindness and for being there, simply.
“I’m going to miss you every Thursday.”
The actress continued: “I’ll explain all of this in a few days. Don’t worry.
“DIP had been an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. And you made it possible because of all the love you brought to the show, years after years. Have a good night see you tomorrow.”
Death in Paradise continues Thursday at 9pm on BBC One.