Death in Paradise: Who was Lionel Lepage? BBC One honours him in touching end-of-credits tribute
R.I.P. Lionel
Death in Paradise series 15 came to a very sad ending this week as BBC One paid tribute to the show’s “friend” Lionel Lepage.
As the popular series ended for another year, the show took the opportunity to remember a valued member of the team now gone, but never forgotten.
Just after the end credits of episode 8 (Friday, March 27, 2026), a tribute appeared on screen. It read: “En la mémoire de notre ami Lionel Lepage 27 January 1986 – 25 June 2025.”
French speakers will know this means “in memory of our friend”.
Here’s what we know about the man behind the tribute, Lionel Lepage, who worked on Death in Paradise for many years.
Who was Death in Paradise’s ‘friend’ Lionel Lepage?
French-speaking Lionel Lepage worked as an electrician on Death in Paradise. He lived in Baie-Mahault on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, where the popular BBC One series is filmed.
Lionel started as a runner on the crime drama, working on 10 episodes between 2015 and 2017. A TV runner, otherwise known as a production runner, is an entry-level assistant, serving as the “hands and feet” of a production team. Hence the name. They perform various essential tasks, including running errands, handling administrative work, managing catering/refreshments, and assisting with on-set logistics.
Having cut his teeth as a runner, Lionel then worked in the Camera and Electrical Department as an electrician for 11 episodes, between 2019 and 2023. He often worked as part of a team of four or five.
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This covered series eight through to 11, so Lionel worked alongside two detectives, including Ardal O’Hanlon’s DI Jack Mooney, and Ralf Little’s DI Neville Parker.
Lionel was involved in 21 episodes over eight years, but did not work with the current leading man, Don Gilet. As well as Death in Paradise, Lionel also worked on one episode of Beyond Paradise in 2023. This episode, which was the series finale of series 1, saw Humphrey Goodman return to Guadeloupe.
Lionel also worked as a production assistant on the 2019 Cillian Murphy film Anna, which was partly filmed in Guadeloupe. Other jobs included an additional electrician on French detective drama Captain Marleau, and electrical jobs on the films Meurtres en Guadeloupe, and Le Fantôme des Saintes.
His last job was working as a gaffer/key grip on the 2024 movie Chokehold.
Death in Paradise tribute: What happened to Lionel?
Lionel Lepage sadly died on June, 25, 2025. He was just 39. Poignantly, he was just months away from reaching his milestone 40th birthday.
The BBC has not yet revealed anymore details about Lionel’s sad death.
Talking about filming in Guadeloupe, actor Ardal O’Hanlon previously explained that some of the cast and crew – including Lionel Lepage – were relatively local to the fictional Saint Marie.
He said: “The people in the country are fantastic as well, they also employ a lot of Guadeloupeans, local people.”
Many of the fellow electricians who worked alongside Lionel are still working on Death in Paradise. These include Fabrice Gazzera, Jean-Claude Berthely, Steeve Lampla, and Jacky Sonder.
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‘Lionel Lepage tragically passed away’
A close friend or relative set up a fundraising page in memory of Lionel Lepage after his death. A message on the site said: “Lionel Lepage tragically passed away on Wednesday, June 25th. We have created this donation page for those who wish to offer their condolences and support to his family.”
At the time of writing, the money raised equalled €2200, which is the equivalent of £1903. Death in Paradise co-stars Ginny Holder and Shantol Jackson both donated.
Lionel’s funeral was held in July 2025 at the chapel of the Biras Funeral Home. He was subsequently cremated at the Georges Biras Crematorium in Blanchet, Morne-à-l’Eau.
He left behind his partner Joanne Kodaday, his mum and dad Nicole and Patrick Lepage, brother Brice, and sister Maéva Ledreck. Tragically he also left behind his young daughter Inaya.
Rest in peace Lionel.
Read more: Death in Paradise paid tribute to crew member Denis Guyenon at end of series 14
