Death in Paradise star 'didn't look back' as he shares moment he decided to quit acting

Sergeant JP Hooper, portrayed by Tobi Bakare, bid farewell to Death in Paradise at the conclusion of series 10, opting to spend more time with his family. The BBC quickly announced that actress Shantol Jackson would step into the role of Officer Naomi Thomas.

Viewers were introduced to Naomi at the start of series 11, and it was evident she was eager to make a good impression on Neville Parker (Ralf Little) and Florence Cassell (Josephine Jobert).

Before his unexpected departure, JP had the chance to meet Marlon Pryce (Tahj Miles), a former troublemaker turned trainee police officer and their relationship got off to a rocky start. Despite their initial disagreements, they managed to put their differences aside for the benefit of the team.

While JP and Marlon may have had a tense relationship on-screen, the actors who portray them enjoy a great rapport off-screen. In his Table Read podcast, Tobi spoke to Tahj about his decision to leave the show.

He also shared his journey into acting and confessed that he once considered quitting and "didn't look back". Fortunately for Death in Paradise fans, his drama school teacher persuaded him to stick with it.

Tobi revealed to his former co-star that his school friends encouraged him to apply for drama school, and after the first three weeks, he was hooked on acting.

"But it was a toss-up between football and acting because the football was going good," Tobi admitted.

"I was around about the age of 14 and as the football was going good as well, I was like, 'I'm going to have to like quit this acting thing to pursue football'."

The JP Hooper star then detailed how he had been scouted by several football clubs, prompting him to consider leaving acting behind.

However, his plans took a swift turn when he went to inform his drama teacher of his decision.

"I was like getting into the Hackney team on the verge of getting into the London team and I was just like, 'Okay, cool, this is something that I can do', you know?

"And plus, when you're from my ends, Hackney or South London or wherever football is the pathway out, everyone wants to be a footballer.

"That was my bag and my older brother was a football player, my dad used to play football when he was in Nigeria, so there's a history of it as well. So basically, I ended up deciding to go ahead and quit the drama school.

"I was like, 'I am going to go in and tell them I am done' and then I go in and I'm like, 'I'm thinking of leaving my football is going good'."

Tobi recounted: "And then Femi Oguns, who is the founder of Identity Drama School. He was also a teacher at that time because it was so fresh, he had to do everything.

"He just tells me he goes, 'Just stay' and I went, 'Okay' and I walked in, and didn't look back. It was so strange."

Following his departure at the end of series 10, Tobi's role was filled by a new character, Naomi, who arrived with a determination to establish herself.

He briefly made a return in the latest series when his pal Marlon Pryce left Saint Marie.

Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.