Death In Paradise star Kris Marshall reveals he has broken his collarbone in two places during freak skiing accident

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Kris Marshall, known for his role in Death In Paradise, fractured his collarbone in two places during a skiing accident on vacation.

The actor, famous for playing DI Humphrey Goodman in the BBC’s police drama, revealed he’s taking a break from two of his roles during an interview on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio UK on Monday.

Okay, so I saw Marshall arrive with his arm in a sling the other day, and when I asked what happened, he had the funniest response. He said it was a little skiing accident, and then immediately joked that it was probably the most ‘middle class’ thing he’d ever admitted! It was such a relatable moment – we’ve all had those little mishaps, haven’t we?

‘Broken collarbone, two places. I ski a lot, so this is my first skiing injury ever.’  

This recent incident involving Marshall happened nearly twenty years after he was previously hospitalized due to a car crash in Somerset.

A car hit the actor, sending him flying twelve feet into the air. He was taken to Bristol Infirmary with a head injury and a collapsed lung.

He told Evans that he was hit by a car in Bristol almost twenty years ago. He added that he doesn’t know why, but things like that seem to happen to him.

Robert Marshall was already well-known for playing Nick Harper on the BBC sitcom My Family. He was getting ready to appear in the West End play Fat Pig when the accident happened.

Thankfully, after spending four weeks in the hospital, the actor ended his stay on a high note when he received a get-well card from his favorite football club, Aston Villa.

He fondly remembered receiving a lovely card signed by the entire team and the manager. He described it as a really thoughtful gesture, adding that he frequently visits and is a big fan of Aston Villa.

Kris Marshall became well-known for playing the lovable, slightly clumsy Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman. He first appeared in the popular show Death in Paradise, and then continued the role in its successful spin-off, Beyond Paradise.

In 2014, Marshall replaced Ben Miller as the lead detective solving murders on a Caribbean island. He was so popular with viewers that a new show, set in Devon, was created just for him – called Beyond Paradise.

Yet when he first auditioned for Death in Paradise in 2013 they turned him down flat.

He recalled to You magazine in 2025 that he hadn’t initially been selected as a finalist. However, just ten days later, he received a call admitting an error, a mistake that ultimately altered the course of the next decade of his life.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always watching what really connects with people, and ‘Death in Paradise’ is a fascinating case study. While many shows are seeing audiences shrink, this one consistently pulls in over seven million viewers per episode! But honestly, when the production team first arrived in Guadeloupe to film, nobody was sure if it would actually work. It’s a testament to great storytelling that it’s become such a hit despite initial uncertainty.

Miller, the previous person in this role, had left because the intense heat and being so far away from his family – Guadeloupe is over 4,000 miles from the UK – proved too difficult to handle.

Marshall was joined by his wife, Hannah, and their one-year-old son. However, the island’s heat was intense – consistently around 32°C (90°F), never falling below 25°C (77°F) and always humid. The police station where they filmed didn’t have any air conditioning, making conditions particularly difficult.

He admitted it really bothered him. He’d lose his temper and start throwing things – chairs, whiteboards, everything. He said it was all-consuming, like it would take over your thoughts.

These days the drama is a juggernaut and has cemented Marshall’s status as a star. 

When I first started working on the show, Guadeloupe wasn’t a popular tourist spot. But when I returned last year to film some scenes, I was surprised to see ‘Death in Paradise’ themed bus tours running around.

I was eating breakfast at the hotel when someone walked by wearing a T-shirt with my picture on it. It felt surreal, like being Mickey Mouse at Disney World – everyone recognizing you!

You can watch the complete interview this Friday at 11:05pm on Channel 4’s TFI Unplugged, or anytime afterwards on demand. It will also be available on Virgin Radio UK’s YouTube channel.

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2026-04-20 16:36