The new lead actor for Death in Paradise Don Gilet has said he is still getting to grips with the role, adding that it is “exciting and terrifying in equal measure”.

In the Christmas special coming out later this month, the former EastEnders star will play the mysterious detective inspector Mervin Wilson, taking over from Ralf Little in the main role.

His character will arrive on the fictional island of Saint Marie from London as a detective on holiday, who is asked to help solve the mystery of Stuart Fullwell (Marcus Brigstocke) after he is found dead with a Santa suit on a beach.

Death in Paradise Don Gilet says lead role is 'exciting and terrifying in equal measure'

When asked about stepping into the Death in Paradise role for the first time, Gilet said: “I’m sure it won’t be a surprise to say that it was both exciting and terrifying in equal measure.

“I liken it to one of those scary rides at a theme park. I’m going on it, and I know it’s going to be scary, but I’m going to do it. You’re daring yourself. Then you sit in the seat going, ‘What have I just let myself in for?’. But it was exciting because I knew I was embarking on this new journey.”

He also said that he “felt this great sense of relief” when he got the part as “it was a great reminder to me that, yeah, you can still do this, it felt like a little personal air-punch-without-anyone-looking moment”.

Despite loving the new BBC role, Gilet admitted he has struggled with the temperature on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

He said: “It’s intense because you’ve got that heat from the start to the end of the day. It does get to a point where you are used to it, but it takes that extra layer of concentration.

“You can’t turn the temperature down, but it’s a beautiful backdrop to shoot against. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself and go look at where you are and what you’re doing.

“It’s a beautiful place. I haven’t had much of a chance to venture out to see just how beautiful it is yet. Once you get used to the temperature, it’s a great job.”

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Shantol Jackson, who is returning at DS Naomi Thomas, says Gilet is “lovely” to work with while explaining her character finds DI Wilson “rude, insensitive and impatient”.

She adds: “During the Christmas special, Naomi and Darlene want Mervin to leave but they understand that the team need a detective inspector.

“He complains about the island a lot and is offensive, and that doesn’t sit well with her, or Darlene. She makes these feelings known to him, but she does realise that he is very capable and intuitive.”

The Death In Paradise Christmas special will air on December 22 at 8.30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.