Death In Paradise viewers hit out at the latest installment, branding it as the ‘worst episode ever’ – and raged ‘this is awful!’

DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet) travelled to Antigua to meet with estranged half-brother Solomon Clarke (Daniel Ward) – only to find himself in a dangerous situation.

He was tied to a chair in a shack, with the dead body of a man named Lester (Ashley Campbell) lying on the floor nearby, having been shot.

Meanwhile, Solomon and criminal associate Cheech (Julian Rhind-Tutt) both tried to persuade Mervin that the other was responsible.

Not all viewers were left impressed, as they soon took to social media to share their reactions.

One wrote on X: ‘We’re only 15 minutes in and I already think this is the worst episode ever. Hope it picks up soon.’

Another added: ‘Is Mervin spending the entire episode tied to a chair?’

A third commented: ‘Script writers I have soooooo many questions.’

A fourth penned: ‘Well this interesting. Any chance of anything happening anytime soon?’

While a fifth stated: ‘This is awful.’

However, other fans expressed their enjoyment of the episode, as one remarked: ‘Great episode of #DeathInParadise.

‘Very different from the usual format and it was good to see all the cast working together. Lots of twists and turns’

A second person agreed: ‘Well I’m having a good time with death in paradise this series, don’t know about you, enjoying when they swap up the format.’

Furthermore, the episode aired on BBC One on Monday (March 9) – after a FA Cup fixture was broadcast in the usual Friday slot.

The episode also saw a familiar face make a surprise reappearance in Death in Paradise.

Sterling Fox (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge), who viewers will recall previously appeared in last year’s series, made a return.

In his last stint, arrogant, well-dressed Sterling came very close to taking over the Commissioner’s job on Saint Marie.

He crossed paths with Commissioner Patterson (Don Warrington) and DS Naomi Thomas (Shantol Jackson) again – although this time in Antigua.

As the trio went to speak with a person of interest, things took a turn when Sterling got a phone call.

‘Slight change of plan’, Sterling told the pair, who were evidently not very impressed with this.

Naomi refuted: ‘No, no, no. The plan is, we go and speak to Pearl Lewis, she’s the best lead we’ve got.’

Sterling wasn’t convinced, however, as he said: ‘Is she though? It feels a little speculative to me.

‘Why don’t we blue sky an alternative strategy? Over lunch! An army marches on its stomach.’

He continued: ‘Now, there’s a restaurant up there that does a phenomenal curried goat. I’ll see if I can get us a table.’

But unfortunately for Sterling, it didn’t take long for Naomi and the Commissioner to hatch their own plan.

As Sterling returned, Naomi and the Commissioner were driving away in his police car.

Naomi quipped: ‘We’ll bring it back. And it’s DS Thomas, you dumbo!’

Death In Paradise airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.