Former Death in Paradise star Kris Marshall has nothing but good things to say about the show – well, except for one thing about his successor Ardal O'Hanlon.

Marshall, who will be seen later this year in ITV's lavish new Jane Austen adaptation Sanditon, explained he's frustrated that O'Hanlon doesn't have to suffer as much as he did when it comes to outfits.

BBC/Red Planet/Denis Guyenon

Related: First look at Kris Marshall in ITV's Jane Austen drama Sanditon

Speaking to Digital Spy and other press, Marshall said: "One thing I was most displeased about and continue to be displeased about over Mr O'Hanlon's tenure is his lack of a jacket. There's no jacket! Anyone can do it in shirt sleeves in 40 degree heat. It's unfair!

"What's going to be happening next to Mr O'Hanlon? Is he going to be doing it in budgie smugglers?"

Red Planet Pictures / Denis Guyenon BBC

However, his Sanditon co-star Anne Reid had a very different take, adding: "You had a very relaxed linen jacket," to which Marshall insisted: "It was not relaxed!"

Marshall replaced Ben Miller on the hit BBC crime drama in 2014, and executive producer Belinda Campbell – who worked with Marshall on both Death in Paradise and Sanditon – suggested he had "nothing to complain about compared to Ben".

"This is true," Marshall conceded. "I didn't have to wear a tie."

BBC

In all seriousness, Marshall went on to reveal that he has watched the show since he left and still thinks it's "brilliant".

"It continues to be an enormous show and I think it will carry on," he said. "And it's worldwide. It's not just the UK.

"The French love it. I used to be able to go to France and it was one of the only countries I could go where I wouldn't get recognised and I was completely anonymous. That's completely changed.

"[It's] everywhere in the world. It's enormous. Australia... it's a big show."

BBC/Red Planet/Steffan Hill

As for why it continues to prove so successful after numerous cast changes, Marshall claimed the show's popularity can't be pinned down to just one reason.

"It remains greater than any one actor," he explained. "It's one of those shows that's greater than the sum of its parts.

"It's not because of the sunshine, but it certainly helps. It's not just because of the fun storylines, but that certainly helps. And it's not because of any lead actor, but that certainly helps."

BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Denis Guyenon

Related: Death in Paradise star admits he was "a bit nervous" when Ardal O'Hanlon joined the show

Filming began on Death in Paradise series nine in May, with one big guest star already confirmed.

Sanditon is set to air on ITV later this year.

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