Ralf Little, best known for playing Detective Inspector Neville Parker in the BBC crime drama Death in Paradise, has reflected on a major career milestone nearly 30 years after his breakthrough role in The Royle Family. The actor, who left Death in Paradise in 2024, shared a behind-the-scenes story from his early days in acting.
From Children's Ward to The Royle Family
Little's acting career began over three decades ago when he appeared as Robbie in the ITV children's drama Children's Ward in the 1990s. He credits that role with helping him land a part in The Royle Family, which launched his career. In a clip shared on Instagram from the show Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip, Little explained the audition process for playing Antony Royle.
He captioned the post: "It's been nearly 30 years since my Royle Family journey began! It all started after I was on an ITV drama called 'Children's Ward', which also launched the careers of Danny Dyer and Stephen Graham. Here's the backstory, taken from 'Ricky & Ralf's Very Northern Road Trip'."
The Audition That Lasted Minutes
In the clip, Little 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."
He continued: "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 and Legacy
Fans quickly commented on the post, praising Little's career. One person said: "So glad they picked you to be in The Royle Family, leading to an amazing career for a fantastic actor." Another wrote: "Still going strong & still an incredible actor. Well done Ralf." A third shared: "Right choice! And this was just the beginning of a versatile, great career. Thx for so many wonderful TV moments."
Little's role in Death in Paradise made him a firm fan-favourite during his four-year stint from 2020 to 2024. He was succeeded by Don Gilet as the lead detective. Before that, Little was 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.
