Ralf Little reveals Death in Paradise's 'strict' rules

'Death in Paradise' star Ralf Little has told how he was made an exception to a "strict" rule to allow him to star in the series.

The 41-year old actor – who plays DCI Neville Parker in the BBC show – said the programme has a rule in place for actors in that they are not allowed to appear as more than one character, but he is on his second character in the series after he first starred in ‘Death in Paradise’ in 2013 when he played Will Teague.

During an appearance on ITV breakfast show ‘Good Morning Britain’, he said: "I was actually in series two of 'Death in Paradise' as a guest, so I'm the only actor that's been in it twice now."

Co-host Ben Shephard was surprised Ralf was the only exception to the rule, despite producers avoiding doubling up of characters.

Ben asked: "They're pretty strict about that aren't they, as a rule?"

Ralf added: "Apparently so. I'd been in 'Heartbeat' about five times before I was 21! That was a whole different thing.

"So yeah, they really try not to double up, but they made the exception. Luckily I wasn't a murderer or a victim in the first one, so I think I was able to get away with coming back again."

Earlier this month, Ralf revealed he had raised more than £25,000 to help stray dogs in the Caribbean, where 'Death in Paradise' is filmed, after he set up a GoFundMe page following the death of his own pooch, Suzy.