Death in Paradise issued a touching dedication to late Commissioning Editor Danielle Scott-Haughton when it returned to screens on Friday night.
In addition to her work on Death In Paradise, Haughton also served as executive producer for the BBC with EastEnders, Just Act Normal and the crime drama’s own spin-off, Beyond Paradise.
She was also instrumental in bringing critically acclaimed adaptations of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero to the screen.
The tragic news was announced earlier in January that Haughton had died at the age of 37.
With Death in Paradise returning for its 15th series, Friday night’s episode ended on a tender tribute to Haughton, accompanied by a picture of the BBC creative.
‘Dedicated with love to our friend and colleague,’ read the show’s fond words.
Sharing the tragic news back in January, The British Blacklist said: ‘We are heartbroken to share the passing of Danielle Scott-Haughton, a brilliant BBC Commissioning Editor, producer, and a cherished friend of The British Blacklist and the wider Black British creative community.
‘Danielle truly showed up. In action, care, and belief. She was a steadfast supporter of Black creatives, Black stories, and Black-led platforms, always believing our stories deserved space, scale, and respect.’
Listing her rise to prominence through Netflix and the BBC, the post went on to share how her legacy lives on ‘through the stories she helped shape, the creatives she championed, and the community she nurtured with such care.’
‘We send love and condolences to Danielle’s family, friends, and colleagues. Thank you, Danielle. You will never be forgotten,’ the post finished.
The BBC shared their own tribute to Death in Paradise’s Instagram account in a Story, which read: ‘We were devastated to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Danielle Scott-Haughton.
The post continued: ‘Dani was the BBC Commissioning Editor for Death in Paradise and Beyond Paradise and was a passionate champion of both shows, as well as every programme she worked on.
‘Her energy and joy were impossible to articulate, but they were palpable each time she visited our shoots, and working with her was a wonderful collaboration.
‘Her enthusiasm, positivity, and determination to not only make every project the best it could be, but also to care for the people and world around her, were infectious and inspiring.’
The post finished: ‘We will all miss her enormously. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult and very sad time.’
Stars pay tribute to Danielle Scott-Haughton
Those who knew and worked with Haughton have also paid tribute, including Sinners and Luther star Wunmi Mosaku, who commented on Instagram: ‘Heartbreaking. Dani, we love you and will miss you deeply! I just can’t believe it 💔 love to her loved ones ❤️’
Radio presenter Clara Amfo also wrote how she was ‘loved beyond measure,’ while Trisha Goddard described her as a ‘talented, insightful and powerful young woman.’
Meanwhile, EastEnders star Diane Parish wrote simply: ‘Devastated.’
Death in Paradise’s new leading man, Don Gilet, also offered his condolences for the tragic loss at the time.
Former EastEnders star Gilet became the long-running cosy crime drama’s latest lead last year, taking over from predecessor Ralf Little.
Gilet makes the fifth actor to front the show, and also follows in the footsteps of Ardal O’Hanlon (series 6-9), Kris Marshall (series 3-6) and Ben Miller (series 1-3).
Prior to joining the show, Gilet told The Telegraph: ‘What I think would be really brilliant for the show now is that they have a person – whether guy or girl – of Caribbean heritage who’s grown up in Britain, is completely, for want of a better word, ‘anglicised’, has never been to the Caribbean, and finds it really hard.
‘Because obviously we’ve had lots of middle-aged, white guys, and the show’s been a success, but I think it would really give it another angle.’
Death in Paradise returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Friday at 9pm.
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