Ardal O’Hanlon is set to take over the role of the lead inspector in the fictional island of Saint-Marie after Kris Marshall announced he would be leaving the drama last year. 

However speaking to Express.co.uk, Ardal, 52, confessed that he doesn’t know whether the series will return for season eight. 

When asked if fans will see him again, the Father Ted star was unsure, stuttering: “I don’t know for sure. 

“I would like to. I would quite like to, but you never know for sure in this business and I have really enjoyed my time on it.”

What’s more, Ardal even has plans on where the series could go, should it return once more.

He explained: “There’s always more to come in terms of the character, but I think it’s really hard to come up with the plots! 

“I always think with Death In Paradise we could do more with the character because I think most of the energy is put into the plot, but I think we could have a love story maybe…

“There’s definitely other ways we could go,” Ardal reasoned. 

What’s more, Ardal admitted that he was “surprised to be offered” the role of Jack Mooney on the show.

“I didn’t see myself as the perfect fit for the role,” he said. “As I learned more, it made sense.”

Death In Paradise returns tonight on BBC One at 9pm.