Death in Paradise star Ralf Little has been acting for over three decades, and he has reflected on nearly 30 years since his Royle Family journey began.
The BBC star left the drama in 2024(Image: (Image: BBC))
For four years, Death in Paradise audiences watched Ralf Little portray Detective Inspector Neville Parker in the enduring BBC drama. The actor departed the programme in 2024, with Don Gilet assuming the role as the lead DI in the cherished show.
However, prior to solving crimes in the BBC series, Ralf was recognised as Jonny Keogh in the sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
His acting journey commenced over three decades ago when he featured as Robbie in the 1990s ITV children’s drama Children’s Ward, which he credits with securing him a part in The Royle Family, the breakthrough that propelled his career.
In a clip he posted on Instagram from the programme Ricky & Ralf’s Very Northern Road Trip, he detailed the audition process for becoming Antony Royle, reports the Express.
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’.”
Ralf told Ricky: “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.
“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.”
It didn’t take long for the comments to flood in, with fans quick to reminisce about his iconic past role. 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 chimed in: “Right choice! And this was just the beginning of a versatile, great career. Thx for so many wonderful TV moments.”
One follower added: “Great story. Time is flying.” While another remarked: “Dang, I can’t believe it is going to be almost 30 years.”
Ricky & Ralf’s Very Northern Road Trip is available to watch on U.