Ardal O'Hanlon felt it was 'high time to move on' from Death in Paradise

Ardal O\'Hanlon quit \'Death in Paradise\' because he felt it was "high time to move on".

The 54-year-old actor left his role as DI Jack Mooney in the BBC One drama series to explore other projects and spend more time with his family, and he\'s admitted he wanted to leave after a "great ride" because he\'s "curious" about what other roles are out there for him.

The \'Father Ted\' star - who joined the show in 2017 - explained: "I think we had a great ride and it was a fantastic time.

"And I think it was high time to move on.

"I think most actors, and I would include myself, are kind of curious by nature, and you always wonder what else is out there.

"Much as you appreciate the job you\'re doing at the time, you\'re always thinking, \'Well, what else is there?\'."

Among his new ventures is stand-up comedy.

He told RadioTimes.com: "I had a show that was bubbling away and I really wanted to get out there and focus on that for a change."

The actor also admitted he felt like there was nowhere else he could take his character because of the "formulaic nature of the show".

He said: "It was a really amazing experience and a really amazing chapter, but I really did feel like a sense of completion, in terms of doing everything possible with the character.

"And given the formulaic nature of the show, \'Death in Paradise\' and everything else, there\'s only so many places you can go, do you know what I mean? In terms of character.

"So I just felt that we had really left nothing behind and left no stone unturned, and it was a great experience, and it was just time to move on."

Although he feels his alter ego has reached the end, Ardal hasn\'t entirely ruled out a return to the programme.

He said recently: "Maybe the island will come to me.

"I might retire to the Outer Hebrides or somewhere and start crime-busting there, and maybe the team will reunite.

"You never know, I mean you never say never in this business anyway. Full stop."

Ralf Little replaced his role as DI Neville Parker.