Ben Miller has expressed a desire to return to his Death in Paradise role, but his age is the only thing stopping him. The actor, who played Detective Inspector Richard Poole until 2014, joked that a prequel would be possible if he were younger.
Miller's love for the character
Speaking to Radio Times, Miller said: "If I wasn't so ruddy old, I could play him in a prequel. I loved the character and I loved the show. It just came at a slightly unfortunate time in my life."
He added: "But I do really miss that character. And funnily enough [Paraverse creator and writer] Rob Thorogood has carried on writing stories for Richard Poole, which is quite fun, so that's a nice way to live the character again."
Exit from the show
Richard Poole was killed off in the series three opener, Death of a Detective. Miller has previously said his exit was due to personal reasons, as filming in Guadeloupe kept him away from family for long periods.
Since then, several detectives have led the show on the fictional island of Saint Marie. Don Gilet currently stars as Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson.
Concerns about online backlash
Beyond Death in Paradise, Miller has discussed fears about being "cancelled" on social media. While promoting the second series of his comedy Austin, he told Radio Times that the theme resonates with him.
He suggested that many people worry about online backlash, noting that even a harmless post can spiral into widespread criticism. He believes social media platforms often enable such pile-ons, with users quick to find something to condemn.
Austin explores this concept through comedy, but Miller's comments indicate he sees online culture as a challenge for both celebrities and ordinary users alike.
Death In Paradise is available on BBC iPlayer.
