Shock Comeback: Tobi Bakare Reveals the Real Reason He Quit Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise fans will be pleased to see a familiar face back on their screens as Tobi Bakare makes a return to the long-running BBC series
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise fans were left delighted when the show made its return to BBC for a new series, featuring regular cast along with new addition DI Mervin Wilson (Don Gilet). However, there’s a familiar face making a comeback to Saint Marie after departing in 2021. Actor Tobi Bakare, who portrayed JP Hooper on the long-standing BBC programme for seven years, decided to leave.
Fans of the BBC hit series witnessed the much-loved character depart after Commissioner Selwyn Patterson offered him a job elsewhere. Accepting the new position, JP relocated his family and left at the conclusion of season 10. The actor disclosed that he knew his time on the show was up, three years before his character exited Saint Marie. He revealed to RadioTimes that the realisation dawned on him following an incident while filming for season seven in a church.
He shared with RadioTimes: “The preacher mentioned seven years in a message. As soon as he mentioned seven years, I don’t know what happened. It just clicked.”
Tobi Bakare’s Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise exit explained as he makes return to BBC series (Image: BBC)
“It was like a moment of realisation. I had three more years left. It was three more years until it would be seven years, but it just hit me so hard. At this time, my wife was in the UK, and I told her that I know when it’s going to be time for me to leave the show.
But I wanted her to go away, pray about it, and think about it. She’d done so, and called me up the next day, and said, ‘2020’. So the exact time of the seven years. So we were like, ‘Yeah, that’s the time. ‘That’s the actual reason.”
Although Tobi revealed to co-star Tahj Miles, who portrays Officer Marlon Pryce, their on-screen partnership almost made him reconsider his decision to leave.
He admitted: “You were the one that created the conflict in between me leaving because we found the flow.”
JP Hooper returns to Saint Marie (Image: BBC )
Tahj’s character was introduced in season 10, and despite some initial clashes with JP, their friendship ultimately found resolution.
However, it remains to be seen how their dynamic will play out upon JP’s return. Fans were ecstatic about the news, as announced on Dᴇᴀᴛʜ in Paradise’s official Instagram, with comments pouring in.
One enthusiastic viewer exclaimed: “So nice to see Tobi back, loved his character,” while another shared: “I miss you JP!”
A fan posted: “OMG I hope we get JP for more than one epsode!! ” with someone else commenting: “Hope JP is back to stay! ” Another wrote: “Yayyy! Would LOVE to have JP back for several episodes,” and another fan simply enthused: “Ahhhh JP is back!”
