INBETWEENERS star Simon Bird has become the latest fan favourite to replace Ralf Little on Death in Paradise.
Since Ralf Little left the role of Neville Parker in the long-running BBC series last month, the race has been on to discover his replacement.
Now, it seems Simon Bird – who’s found fame on Channel 4 sitcoms including The Inbetweeners, Friday Night Dinner, and Everyone Else Burns – is odds-on to take the part.
According to bookies Coral, a sudden flurry of bets have been laid down for the actor, with him jumping to the lead to take the leading man spot.
“We have seen strong support for Simon Bird to take over the lead detective role on Death In Paradise. The former Inbetweeners star is now odds-on in our betting,” said Coral’s John Hill.
Since the show began in 2011, the leading detective inspector has been played by a white male actor, often a beloved face with a history in comedy shows and sitcoms.
As such, Simon does fit the bill if they were to carry on this tradition.
He would follow Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon and Ralf Little.
Simon currently stands at 4-5 for best bet to take on the part.
Other actors in the running by the bookies are Martin Clunes (5-2), Rupert Grint (5-1) and Gavin and Stacey’s Mathew Horne (6-1).
The Sun viewers have said they want Clunes in the role, having already spearheaded another show favourite in the shape of Doc Martin.
However, some think the new role will buck with tradition, and instead Death In Paradise will follow in the footsteps of its Australian spin-off, Return To Paradise, and give the lead to a woman.
Diane Morgan (5-1) and Miranda Hart (6-1) have both been named by Coral as in the running.
The BBC is yet to announce who will actually take the role on.
