From medical school dropout to television's Detective Inspector
In short: In 1998, Ralf Little walked away from medical school at the University of Manchester. Instead of practicing medicine, he pursued a career in acting that would lead him from cult sitcoms like The Royle Family to becoming the lead in the long-running mystery series Death in Paradise.
Born in Oldham in February 1980, Little's career is defined by its versatility. He transitioned from minor roles in programmes like Elidor and Coronation Street to significant television success. His breakout came with the BBC sitcom The Royle Family, where he played Antony Royle from 1998 to 2000, later returning for three Christmas specials between 2006 and 2010. His early television appearances also included roles in Children's Ward and Sloggers. He also appeared in the Granada TV production Coronation Street as a care home assistant.
Little's range extends beyond comedy into dramatic and stage work. He received an Olivier Award nomination for his performance as the young George Harrison in the play Presence at the Royal Court Theatre in 2001. His television credits also include playing Jonny Keogh in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps for six series, and more recently, starring as Detective Inspector Neville Parker in Death in Paradise from 2020 to 2024. He also appeared in the film Frozen, which was set in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Additionally, he performed in the ITV Panto Aladdin at the New Wimbledon Theatre.
Beyond the screen, Little has maintained a life as a semi-professional footballer. His athletic history includes playing for clubs such as Maidstone United in 2003, Edgware Town in 2004, and Stone Dominoes in 2008. He has even captained the Sealand national football team in a 2012 match against the Chagos Islands. He has also played for the Arsenal Ex-Pro and Celebrity XI. Furthermore, he participated in a Soccer Aid match for England in 2010.
In addition to acting and football, Little is a writer and presenter. He co-authored the novel The Golden Generation in 2007, with proceeds benefiting the charity Shelter, and has served as a narrator for documentaries such as Our Yorkshire Farm between 2018 and 2022. He also worked on the film Powder. Additionally, he has been a patron for the humanist organisation Humanists UK since 2020.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Ralf Little
- Also: Wikidata — Ralf Little · CC0
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