Ralf Little, known for his role as Detective Inspector Neville Parker in the BBC drama Death in Paradise, has revealed how a small part in a 1990s ITV children's show launched his career in the beloved sitcom The Royle Family. Little, who left Death in Paradise in 2024, shared the story in an Instagram post from the programme Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip.
From Children's Ward to The Royle Family
Little's acting journey began over three decades ago when he played Robbie in the ITV children's drama Children's Ward. He credits this role with securing him an audition for The Royle Family, the show that propelled his career. In the Instagram clip, he explained that the casting process was unusually swift.
He told Ricky Tomlinson: "I'd done a few episodes of that, and I can only assume that Caroline (Aherne) and Craig (Cash), when they were doing the Royle Family, they couldn't be bothered seeing hundreds of kids, like what normally happens. They said, 'Just send three or four lads that you know'. I walked in, I sat down, and I read the script with them. I must've have been in the room more than three minutes, four minutes tops."
A Memorable Audition
Little described feeling underwhelmed after the audition: "I walked out going, 'I did nothing, nothing interesting, nothing different'. Got to my car, got a parking ticket that was £50, which I couldn't afford. It was like, 'This is the worst day of my life'. Got in the car, drove home back to Bury, got in, this was before mobile phones. I walked in, and my mum said, 'Just had a phone call from Granada, they offered you the part' before I'd even got home! Never happens like that, it was bonkers."
Fan Reactions
The Instagram post quickly attracted attention, with many fans reflecting on Little's career. One viewer commented: "So glad they picked you to be in The Royle Family, leading to an amazing career for a fantastic actor." Another posted: "Still going strong & still an incredible actor. Well done Ralf." A third remarked: "Right choice! And this was just the beginning of a versatile, great career. Thx for so many wonderful TV moments." One fan added: "Great story. Time is flying," while another expressed: "Dang, I can't believe it is going to be almost 30 years."
Before his role in Death in Paradise, Little was also known as Jonny Keogh in the sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip is available to watch on U.
