Paradise

Death In Paradise will not air in its usual Friday slot this week owing to a change in scheduling on the BBC as its replacement has now been revealed

Death In Paradise is off air this week after it was pulled from its usual slot. The BBC show is back for a new series, with DI Mervin Wilson – played by Don Gilet – at the helm.

It usually airs in the Friday 9pm slot each week on BBC One but it has been changed for this week. Death In Paradise follows the story of a British police officer in the Caribbean, working out of island paradise Saint Marie.

The BBC show will not air this Friday as planned as the BBC will instead be broadcasting the football. The FA Cup tie between Hull City and Chelsea will air that evening instead from 7.30pm, with kick off 15 minutes later.

Instead, Death In Paradise will air its latest episode on the following Monday, which follows the story of a pensioner who has been shot dead in his home. The commissioner is also busy trying to get everyone on side after his recent departure.

Meanwhile, Don Gilet previously opened up about his character’s development on the BBC detective drama series.

Speaking about his character, Don – who plays Mervin Wilson – said: “Just by his nature and the way he is when it comes to his work and the way that his mind works, there’s always going to be a bit of kickback with the people he deals with.

“Last year, there was this antagonism between Mervin and the team because they just worked in very different ways, and both had to earn the respect of each other in the way they work.”

He added: “And let’s not forget, he didn’t want to be on the island, so he was going to be particularly reluctant to work with these people because of the personal issues he was dealing with.

“But as time has moved on, he’s realised that he needs these people. They are now gelling, they’re working as a team – now it’s cracking the cases that frustrate him, and they become frustrated as a group. You’ll still see him sometimes working at odds with the team, but they know each other now and can allow for that a little more.”

Of course, in this series, there is also the twist about Mervin’s half-brother Solomon, whom he finally gets to meet this series. However, things don’t get off to a great start.

“It was a great emotional cliffhanger because at any moment in that series Mervin could have just said ‘that’s it, I’ve done my time’, and now he literally can’t go.

“The one thing he was in pursuit of at the start of this series was family, and then to throw that in at the end, that he’s not alone… He’s powerless to resist that and he has to stay now for the next chapter in his family quest, because he thought he had no family. So how can he turn his back on that?

“Well, I think phrases like ‘two peas in a pod’, do not apply… They couldn’t be more opposite. There’s Mervin and then there’s this guy who is on the opposite side of the tracks, potentially the opposite side of the law too…”

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I HAD negotiated the Giant’s Grave, overcome the Causeway and even conquered the Himalayas – but now Calamity Corner was awaiting me.

Would it live up to its name, as had the other three treacherous golf holes on the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, where I was following in the footsteps of the golfing gods.

Hosting The Open twice since 2019, Royal Portrush needs no introduction to fans of the sport.

And Calamity Corner was just one more challenge on what is one of the world’s finest courses.

The par three offers superb views in all directions across the course.

The only problem is the deep drops surrounding three sides of the green.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Now it was my chance to play it — and it turned out to be far from a calamity.

Finding the green with my tee shot was a good start, and two putts later, after help from our brilliant caddie Jamie, I had made par.

It was my most memorable par ever and was only topped by a birdie on the beachside fifth.

After such a fantastic afternoon, there was only one way to mark the occasion — with the Calamity Corner cocktail at the hotel bar.

After such a fantastic afternoon, there was only one way to mark the occasion — with the Calamity Corner cocktail at the hotel bar

I was staying at the 5-star Dunluce Lodge, set alongside the fourth fairway and, like the course, it is named after the castle ruins nearby.

Opening in early 2025, the hotel’s 35 rooms are all suites, while there is also a spa and a putting green for practice.

And the hotel can count former world No1 Rory McIlroy among its guests.

Its restaurant highlights Irish produce, with dishes such as Carlingford oysters and seared Thornhill duck.

The lodge also has a great whiskey collection, including the exceedingly rare 46-year-old single malt from nearby Bushmills distillery.

The following morning, fuelled by brilliant memories of Royal Portrush and a full Irish breakfast, I was ready to tackle my next course: Castlerock.

A 25-minute drive from my hotel, the course was another beautiful layout in an area blessed with many, including Portstewart and Bushfoot.

Set alongside the River Bann, which is visible on several holes, the venue held a European Tour event in 2023 and has a second course which can be played for £60.

Three holes of Castlerock’s Mussenden Links run alongside the railway, including the tricky fourth.

Later in the round, the 16th and 17th offer the best views across to Donegal.

Guinness flowed

After the golf, I returned to Portrush to visit the famous Harbour Bar, a pub frequented by some of the world’s best players during The Open.

Set over three floors, the boozer’s food options include burgers for £15 and half rotisserie chickens for £20.

When I went, it had live music playing late into the evening as the Guinness flowed and golfers from across the globe shared stories.

I also enjoyed a pint of the black stuff on the first day of my break, at the Culloden Estate in the suburbs of Belfast.

The Guinness flowed and golfers from across the globe shared stories

The hotel houses a spa and swimming pool alongside three restaurants, while the mocktail on arrival and cupcakes in the room were nice touches.

I chose its Cultra Bar for dinner where mains included daube of Irish beef or pork chop with black pudding, both for £28.

The hotel was ten minutes from my first round at Holywood, Rory McIlroy’s home course and where he learned the game.

Rounds cost £60, with the course set in the hills above Belfast and offering views across the Lough, particularly on the challenging back-nine holes.

Off the course, the clubhouse has an area dedicated to Rory’s Major triumphs, including replica trophies, alongside Ryder Cup memorabilia.

But I had teed off early to allow myself time to visit another of Belfast’s most popular attractions.

The Titanic Experience, yards from where the doomed liner first launched, tells the story of the ship’s construction, sinking and discovery.

Artefacts on display include one of the life jackets — of which only 12 still exist — and the violin played by a member of the band as the ship went down.

The exhibition was a fascinating addition to a break packed with an amazing mix of great golf, Irish hospitality and spectacular food.

It was a trip that was far from a calamity — and well above par.

Frequently crowned the county’s ‘most beautiful village’ with its stunning natural landscapes, historic 17th-century stone cottages and charming rural atmosphere – it’s the perfect tranquil paradise.

Tucked away between the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Ribble Valley, brimming with fascinating history and stunning scenery, lies a village that appears ‘frozen in time’, often celebrated as Lancashire’s ‘most gorgeous village’.

The Lancashire community of Chipping ranks amongst those quintessential ‘picture postcard’ places you’d typically spot on television and instantly dream of calling home.

Boasting sweeping woodland vistas and immaculately maintained cottages, this settlement captures the true spirit of English countryside allure.

The area is equally famous for its deep historical foundations and cultural legacy, housing ancient stone dwellings, a historic inn with supernatural stories, and a flourishing community.

Chipping village’s past stretches back over a thousand years, and strolling through this charming hamlet feels like journeying through history, with the community exuding a distinctly medieval yet delightful ambiance, reports Lancs Live.

Indeed, many village stone cottages were built during the 1600s and 1700s.

A perfectly rural retreat, Chipping offers a wealth of attractions featuring cheese producers, a farm store, a furniture workshop, café, and arts centre, plus countless public walkways, bike paths and hiking trails.

This enchanting settlement showcases some of Lancashire’s most spectacular countryside directly at its entrance, providing endless attractions and pursuits in the neighbouring region.

Among Chipping’s most renowned attractions is Brabin’s Shop and Café, Britain’s longest continuously operating trading establishment; as of 2026, it functions as both a corner shop and eatery.

This modest enterprise has maintained its commercial role since initially welcoming customers in the 17th century, never fulfilling any alternative purpose.

The Sun Inn pub, an inviting yet notoriously legendary establishment, nestles discreetly on the corner of Chipping’s main thoroughfare, showcasing with pride its extensive paranormal heritage.

Upon reaching the village, visitors are greeted by evidence of Chipping’s RHS Gold Award for Britain in Bloom, with stunning floral displays scattered throughout the locale.

Venturing further into this magical settlement, a slender pathway, seemingly constructed for horse-drawn transport of bygone eras, draws travellers, flanked by delightful dwellings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Investigating more thoroughly into the community, Chipping’s mesmerising heritage becomes immediately apparent to guests.

The village showcases the 13th Century St Bartholomew’s Church, an active Anglican place of worship holding Grade II Listed status, which has experienced partial restoration in 1505, 1706, and during the 19th Century.

However, whilst the settlement boasts an extensive and captivating history, it’s genuinely the residents who make this charming village truly extraordinary. Evidently taking enormous pride in their locality, numerous properties showcase spectacular floral displays, breathtaking facades, and remarkable stone-constructed dwellings with charming architectural features.

How to reach there

By car: Chipping sits roughly 10 miles from junction 31A on the M6.

By public transport: The closest railway and coach stations are situated in Preston.

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Death in Paradise is back for series 15 and new recruit Sergeant Mattie Fletcher will be joining the team in Saint Marie – here’s everything you need to know about the character

Death in Paradise is gearing up for its 15th season, welcoming back familiar faces and introducing some fresh ones. Don Gilet will be reprising his role as DI Mervin Wilson, while Commissioner Selwyn Patterson, portrayed by Don Warrington, makes a comeback to Saint Marie after a hiatus.

Elizabeth Bourgine’s Catherine Bordey, Shantol Jackson’s Sergeant Naomi Thomas, and Shaquille Ali-Yebuah’s Officer Sebastian Rose are all set to return for the 15th season. However, viewers will also meet a new face, Sergeant Mattie Fletcher.

Described as having a “rebellious” streak, Mattie is a fantastic addition to the Saint Marie squad. She’s brought to life by actress Catherine Garton, who steps into the cast following Ginny Holder’s departure from her role as Darlene Curtis. But what can BBC viewers anticipate from newcomer Mattie, and who is the actress behind her?

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Death in Paradise series 15, reports the Express.

Who is Sergeant Mattie Fletcher?

Sergeant Mattie Fletcher is the latest addition to the Saint Marie team. She’ll make her debut in season 15, episode 1, with Detective Sergeant Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) and Officer Sebastian Rose (Shaquille Ali-Yebuah) helping Mattie find her feet.

However, settling in might prove more challenging than expected as secrets from her past start to surface.

Discussing what audiences can anticipate from Sergeant Mattie, Don Gilet, who portrays DI Mervin Wilson, explained: “There’s definitely something of a rebel in Mattie. We haven’t had that rebellious element, really. She’s a bit younger, probably a similar age, give or take, to Officer Seb Rose, but she’s seen a lot more.

“She’s a sergeant and she’s more experienced and is always on the front foot, whereas Seb is going through his rookie stripes. It’s great seeing how the two of them connect – there’s a nurturing side as well as a rebellious side. She’s a great addition to the team.”

Who is Catherine Garton?

Catherine Garton, who portrays Mattie, described her character as “tenacious,” adding: “She’s really fun to play. She’s sassy, but she’s like your big sister who will tell you what’s what, but you can also come to her if you need to. You can have a laugh with her. She’s very passionate about things, about her work and about the people that she grows to love, especially in the team. She’s also very determined, almost too determined sometimes..”

She went on: “Audiences can expect some action. Someone who’s lovable and who’s trying their best, but almost to a fault. She has something to prove to herself and to others and sometimes she can do that to her detriment, but it comes from a place of passion. They will see ups, downs and lots of sass!”.

Catherine Garton takes on the role of new recruit Mattie, having previously appeared in The Gray House as Talulah and Ibiza Narcos as Kelly. Catherine recently graced our screens in Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

This festive BBC series featured Catherine as Corporal Jane Hart throughout all four episodes.

The filming for the spin-off concluded in 2024, and it was only after wrapping up that Catherine learned she had secured the role of Sergeant Mattie Fletcher, a new regular on Death in Paradise. She amusingly revealed that she was shopping in TK Maxx when her agent broke the news.

She recalled: “I was in the shoe section, one shoe off, sliding another one on and my agent called me and told me. It was a moment!”.

Speaking about her experience filming in Guadeloupe, where the fictional town of Saint Marie is located, Catherine enthused: “I loved it – everyone was really welcoming. Before going to Guadeloupe, I didn’t quite know what to anticipate, then it exceeded any expectations I could have had. I love the island. Guadeloupe is like a postcard. It’s quite unreal. Every time I walked out I was like ‘this exists, wow!’. It’s absolutely stunning. Everyone’s nice. I love the culture. The food’s great. Everyone I work with is great. I don’t have any complaints!”.

When asked about meeting the rest of the cast and crew, Catherine admitted: “It was intimidating at first, because this is the biggest kind of role I’ve ever had, but everyone was just so nice and so welcoming. I remember the first time I saw Shantol and the biggest smile ever. I feel like I have family there now.”

Death in Paradise season 15 kicks off on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm on Friday, 30 January.