{"id":658555,"date":"2025-12-27T22:06:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T22:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/658555\/"},"modified":"2025-12-27T22:06:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T22:06:18","slug":"bbc-death-in-paradise-confirms-uk-crossover-as-familiar-face-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/658555\/","title":{"rendered":"BBC Death in Paradise confirms UK crossover as familiar face returns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has teased the return of a familiar face in the upcoming Christmas special<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35 __className_5d9e5a\">Abbie Bray<\/strong> Deputy Editor for Screen Time<\/p>\n<p>14:09, 27 Dec 2025Updated 14:10, 27 Dec 2025<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Death in Paradise star Don Gilet, who portrays Mervin Wilson in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">BBC<\/a> drama, has hinted at the comeback of a recognisable character in the forthcoming <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/christmas\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Christmas<\/a> special. Speaking exclusively to Reach PLC alongside other media outlets, Don offered a glimpse into what viewers can anticipate from the festive episode, which broadcasts on Sunday evening.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Whilst remaining deliberately vague, Don revealed that audiences should prepare for the return of a familiar character, with some devoted viewers already speculating about the identity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He explained: &#8220;It&#8217;s a very interesting thing to think about that one of the characters, who is the beating heart of this whole thing that has been there from the beginning, the thought that, from a character perspective, they may not be there anymore, and what hole that leaves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Because I suppose, in terms of family, they are the closest thing, and then to think, Mervin is back to feeling like an orphan again, just when he&#8217;s starting to embrace what Saint Marie has to offer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Addressing the UK crossover element in the Christmas episode, Don continued: &#8220;I think it&#8217;s great to see what the UK looks like at the very same time as Mervin is solving crimes in the beautiful sunshine,&#8221; reports <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/showbiz\/tv-radio\/2150813\/death-paradise-don-gilet-return\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">the Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Don-teased-the-return-of-a-familiar-face.jpg\" alt=\"Don teased the return of a familiar face\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Don teased the return of a familiar face(Image: BBC)READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/news\/tv\/bbc-breakfast-halted-emotional-tribute-33126609\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33126609\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC Breakfast halted for emotional tribute as teen dies months after tragic diagnosis<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/news\/tv\/bbc-breakfast-host-interrupts-live-33126811\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33126811\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC Breakfast host interrupts live broadcast to issue apology after blunder<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The performer&#8217;s revelation follows Don Warrington&#8217;s unexpected cameo as Commissioner Selwyn Pattison in Beyond Paradise&#8217;s Christmas special, which transmitted last weekend. Selwyn was reunited with Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) during the couple&#8217;s long-awaited wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The episode&#8217;s conclusion saw Selwyn receive a call from Mervin, seeking his assistance, leading viewers to speculate that the Commissioner will make an appearance in the upcoming festive episode.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fans took to a Facebook group to share their theories, with one commenting, &#8220;What a surprise ending and lead into DIP Christmas special.&#8221; Another concurred, &#8220;Should be interesting, looking forward to it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Fans-think-the-Commissioner-will-be-in-the-Christmas-special.jpg\" alt=\"Fans think the Commissioner will be in the Christmas special\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Fans think the Commissioner will be in the Christmas special(Image: BBC)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A third chimed in, &#8220;Loved the crossover with Selwyn involved.&#8221; Another fan noted, &#8220;Intriguing about the Commissioner&#8217;s phone message, and hopefully we will find out in the DIP Christmas special.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The synopsis for the holiday episode hints at a thrilling plot: &#8220;The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up to find a stranger dead in the pool of their Caribbean villa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they&#8217;re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the murder took place&#8230; thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon!<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Stranded in Saint Marie, the team enlists the help of a familiar face to solve the case. Meanwhile, Mervin anxiously awaits news from his newly discovered brother, which hinders him from fully embracing the Christmas festivities of Saint Marie. Can Mervin resolve his family issues and get into the holiday spirit &#8211; for the sake of his team and the island?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/death-in-paradise\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Death in ParadiseLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Death in Paradise<\/a> is set to air on Sunday at 8.30pm on BBC One.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has teased the return of a familiar face in the upcoming Christmas&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":658556,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3937],"tags":[2559,77,382,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-658555","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-death-in-paradise","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-tv","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115793809696963460","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/658555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=658555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/658555\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/658556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=658555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=658555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=658555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}