Death In Paradise

BBC1, 9pm

We’ve come to the end of the latest season of murder mysteries on the tropical paradise island of Saint Marie – meaning a temporary farewell to one of prime-time TV’s most popular pieces of escapism.

But first there’s one last case for DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) to face in this finale, as a high-profile chess match results in bloodshed, and after a body turns up he and his colleagues are on the case. Plus there’s a surprising blast from the past in store for Commissioner Selwyn Patterson (Don Warrington, right) with the sudden appearance of someone he really wasn’t expecting to see.

But whatever questions the police have to puzzle over, fans of Death In Paradise can rest assured the most burning one of all has been answered: our return to Saint Marie is guaranteed with series 12 already commissioned. ★★★☆☆