Fans of the murder mystery are in for a Christmas treat – but did you know the show had a connection to Essex?

The episode, which airs tonight, is the first feature-length episode and it also sees the return of Danny John-Jules as Officer Dwayne Myers.

The plot finds DI Neville Parker, played by Ralf Little, and the team investigating when a wealthy shipping magnate is found dead at a Christmas party.

That may not seem unusual for Saint Marie, but the case takes a twist when a man in London receives a mysterious Christmas card that appears to be connected to the victim’s death.

The show, which has run for ten years, was the brainchild of Colchester writer Robert Thorogood.

Robert was born and raised in Great Horkesley and attended the Holmwood House Preparatory School, in Lexden.

His dad ran a bakery and a pub in the area for many years, as well as the restaurant within the Mercury Theatre, where Robert and his brothers sometimes performed.

After moving with his family to Bures, talented Robert eventually went on to read History at the University of Cambridge.

Read more >> Colchester writer talks Death in Paradise success as he publishes new murder mystery

But despite his initially more academic path, his burning passion for the arts never subsided and after leaving Downing College, he founded and toured with a theatre group.

For many years he consistently struggled - albeit persistently - in his pursuit of a career as a screenwriter, repetitively failing to see his work commissioned.

But then in 2009 Robert’s life completely changed when his script idea for Death In Paradise was finally picked up after two years of pitching.

Speaking to the Gazette earlier this year he said: ““It was my big break.

“I had been writing loads for years and years, but nothing was coming off.

“It took a lot of commitment and belief and support from my wife Katie, who helped me enormously.

“I entered a screenwriting competition and got to pitch to writer Tony Jordan who has done loads, including EastEnders.

“He backed it and then the BBC really liked it.”

Death In Paradise is a Red Planet Pictures production for BBC One made with the support of the region of Guadeloupe and internationally distributed by BBC Studios.

Tim Key executive produces for Red Planet Pictures and Tommy Bulfin for the BBC.

The feature length episode is written by James Hall, produced by Candida Julian-Jones, directed by Ben Kellett.

Death In Paradise series eleven will air in January 2022 and series twelve has previously been announced.

It will be on BBC One at 7.30pm tonight.