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Death In Paradise star Elizabeth Bourgine has opened up about her co-star's exit, and the impact it's had on her character.

The actress plays Saint Marie's voice of the people Catherine Bordey and is returning to the beloved BBC crime drama alongside the likes of Shantol Jackson and Don Gilet.

With Death In Paradise returning for its 15th season in just a few days, Elizabeth teased her character's upcoming storyline following Commissioner Selwyn Patterson's (played by Don Warrington) exit.

When asked how Catherine is helping the police team win back the trust of the island after his departure, she explained: "She helps the team to understand that they must do something to regain the islanders' trust in them as a police force.

"Throughout the series, there's a running thread of the people of Saint Marie learning to rely on one another and count on one another, so when Selwyn left, it felt like a betrayal to the people of Saint Marie.

"Catherine helps the team to understand how the island is feeling, and what they need to do moving forward."

Selwyn left Saint Marie at the end of the last series, with DI Mervin actor Don addressing the "great loss" and saying: "You see how it impacts the characters, thinking that somebody who has employed them and has been there seemingly forever suddenly goes, 'well, I'm off, I don't want to do this anymore'.

"Selwyn has been the only one that really gets Mervin from a paternal perspective. He's the only one that he's shared his demons and fears with and he's always a step ahead.

"It's certainly a great loss, that feeling that the person who you can always go to isn't going to be there anymore. It's left an emotional hole in the team, and it's going to be interesting for audiences to see how they survive without him."

Selwyn left the force with a low-key exit, only telling Catherine of his decision, despite being offered his old job back after an appeal from his team.

Asked why he'd turned it down after fighting so hard, he said: "I don't know, but it felt wrong to say yes, too much has happened, and right now, I can't see a way to get back to how things were."

He then pleaded with her: "Promise me, you will look after yourself and the rest of them."

She replied: "Of course, promise me this isn't farewell but au revoir."

Ahead of the Christmas special airing just weeks ago, Catherine admitted her character was "upset and angry" at Selwyn's departure.

She said: "They both did their best all throughout the last series, but she was angry because it was too easy for him to abandon things after all of that.

"Ultimately, she's disappointed, but he's her best friend, and whether he's on Saint Marie or not, she will always support him."

Death In Paradise returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Friday 30th January at 9pm.