BBC Death in Paradise Star Ardal O'Hanlon Breaks Silence on Father Ted Anniversary—Will He Return?

Ardal O’Hanlon Reflects on 30 Years Since Father Ted—Is a Comeback Possible?

It’s a moment of nostalgia for British comedy fans as Father Ted approaches its 30th anniversary. But while fans might be hoping for a reunion, Ardal O’Hanlon, the beloved Death in Paradise star, has set the record straight. Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, he made it clear—there will be no return for Father Dougal McGuire.

“You Just Have to Move On”—Ardal on Leaving Father Ted Behind

O’Hanlon sat down with Good Morning Britain hosts Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley to discuss his iconic role in Father Ted. When asked if he would celebrate the milestone, he didn’t hesitate:

“I hope this doesn’t disappoint Father Ted fans, but the day we stopped filming is the day I moved on. As a professional, you have to. You can’t dwell on the past.”

But even if Ardal is ready to move forward, are fans? Kate Garraway playfully asked if people allow him to forget the role, to which he laughed and admitted: “No, they don’t at all.”

Life After Father Ted—What’s Next for Ardal O’Hanlon?

The Irish actor, who also played DI Jack Mooney in Death in Paradise, has enjoyed a diverse career since his Father Ted days. He explained:

“You’re always on to the next job, whether it’s TV, stand-up comedy, writing, making documentaries, or just raising a family.”

Fans of Death in Paradise will remember that O’Hanlon bid farewell to the series in 2020. Since then, he’s continued to explore new projects, but will he ever return to Saint Marie? That remains a mystery.

Controversy Over Father Ted Re-Runs—Ardal Reacts

During the interview, the discussion took a more serious turn when Richard Madeley brought up recent news about Father Ted reruns being accompanied by trigger warnings.

“Do you have a view on this? I think it’s preposterous that re-runs of Father Ted will now carry warnings, suggesting some content might be offensive,” Richard remarked.

Ardal didn’t hold back:

“I know, I’m with you on that. It doesn’t make sense. Should we start putting trigger warnings in supermarkets too? Where do we start, and where do we end? It’s truly ridiculous.”

Richard chimed in, agreeing that while times change, context matters:

“It was filmed 30 years ago, guys. Of course, some jokes wouldn’t be made today, but that’s history.”

What’s Next for Ardal O’Hanlon?

While Father Ted fans might be sad about his firm stance on not returning, Ardal O’Hanlon is far from stepping away from the spotlight. Whether it’s another acting role, stand-up comedy, or writing, his creative spark continues to shine.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6 AM.

FAQ

Will Ardal O’Hanlon ever return to Father Ted?
No, he has made it clear that he has moved on and has no plans to reprise his role as Father Dougal McGuire.

Why are Father Ted reruns getting trigger warnings?
Networks have decided to include content warnings, suggesting some jokes may be outdated or offensive by today’s standards.

What has Ardal O’Hanlon been doing since Death in Paradise?
He has been working on various TV projects, stand-up comedy, and writing.

Will he ever return to Death in Paradise?
There’s no confirmation, but fans remain hopeful for a surprise appearance.