Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has been tipped to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, would be better off taking up the lead role in BBC’s Death in Paradise, according to Richard Osman.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is tipped to be James Bond (Image: GETTY)

BBC quiz host Richard Osman has argued that the DI role in crime series Death in Paradise should actually be more desirable to actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson than the part of James Bond.

The Richard Osman’s House of Games presenter made the claim, as he defended the quality of the extremely popular detective show.

Speaking on new podcast The Rest Is Entertainment with co-host Marina Hyde, the Pointless creator insisted that the Death in Paradise gig should be considered the top role in telly.

It comes after the BBC recently announced the departure of Ralf Little, who has played DI Neville Parker on the show since 2020.

Before Ralf took over in season 8, Ardal O’Hanlon portrayed DI Jack Mooney between seasons 6 and 8. Since then, Kris has also been involved in the popular BBC spin-off show, Beyond Paradise.

Undoubtedly, the Detective Inspector role in Death in Paradise will be a desirable gig for many actors, but the speculation about who will play the next 007 in James Bond has been going on for years.

According to reports, however, former teen heartthrob-turned-movie-star Aaron has now been formally offered the part.

Ralf Little has left Death in Paradise (Image: BBC)

Discussing the two huge media properties on The Rest Is Entertainment, Richard explained: “We talked last week about who’s going to be the new Bond, but there’s actually a much, much bigger role up for grabs […]

“Ralf Little has just left Death in Paradise, which for the last 13 years has been the biggest show on British TV, so they’re looking for a new detective to go out to Guadalupe and that will be seen by more people than will ever see James Bond.”

With millions watching the BBC show each week, Richard argued that it was “culturally more important” than James Bond.

Speaking about 007 hopeful Aaron, he said: “I still think this is a bigger gig for a young actor.

If I were Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and I was offered both, I’d say let’s head out to Guadalupe for a couple of years.”

Richard Osman hosts The Rest Is Entertainment with Marina Hyde (Image: GETTY)

At first, his co-star Marina wasn’t too convinced, but Richard insisted: “It’s worth talking about, because it’s one of those shows that would be easy to dismiss if you’ve never seen it.

“Actually, it was made with love by very talented people, it was come up with by a very smart man, it’s run by very smart people, and I’m also just fascinated by who’s going to be the next detective.”

He then added: “It’s a great show, it’s a proper success story. I think it’s one of those shows that sometimes doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. But it’s a monster.”

Marina then conceded that perhaps, due to its success worldwide, Death in Paradise probably could be described as being “bigger than Bond”.