Death in Paradise actor Don Gilet has offered a rare public glimpse into his enduring romance with Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran, marking the first time he has spoken openly about their relationship. The couple, who have been together since 2018, are set to reunite on screen in the upcoming series of the popular BBC crime drama.
A Long-Standing Partnership
The actors first worked together on ITV's crime drama The Loch back in 2017, with romance rumours beginning to circulate approximately one year later. Despite maintaining their relationship for eight years, both Gilet and Finneran have typically kept their private lives away from public scrutiny, making these recent revelations particularly noteworthy for fans and entertainment observers alike.
On-Screen Reunion and Playful Banter
Appearing on This Morning with host Alison Hammond, Gilet finally acknowledged their relationship when questioned about working alongside his girlfriend. With characteristic humour, he responded: "I thought they edited her out." When Hammond suggested that filming in Guadeloupe provided an excellent opportunity for a romantic getaway, Gilet revealed he had told Finneran: "'I've got a surprise for you,' I said. She thought I was going to propose!"
He continued with affectionate teasing about her professional development: "She loved doing it. It was great working with her. She's come a long way. Happy Valley, Schmappy Valley. Can you not see the stillness she creates in front of the camera since being with me? You can't bottle it. There's something about the way she acts now, there's a confidence to her. She gets more work now."
Unconventional Living Arrangements
In December, Finneran provided her own perspective on their relationship during an interview with The Times, revealing that the couple maintain separate households. She explained this arrangement stems from Gilet's extensive filming commitments for Death in Paradise, which keeps him overseas for approximately seven months each year.
"That's just the way it is, isn't it? That's how it's always been," she remarked, dismissing suggestions that they might be considered a "power couple." Finneran added: "We are both off the telly. Other than that we're pretty normal. You wouldn't think we were a power couple this morning, both running around trying to get out of the house on time. Hopeless."
Return to Paradise and Tropical Dangers
Gilet is set to reprise his role as DI Mervin Wilson when Death in Paradise returns to BBC screens next week. The actor recently disclosed some of the less glamorous aspects of filming in the Caribbean location, revealing that the cast frequently encounters hazardous wildlife.
He told the Daily Star: "There is a bug we often see when we're filming... a scolopendra. They have got venom, and they kill. People have found them in their beds and in their shoes. I have seen a few of them already. I always do checks, so I don't get any surprises!"
The upcoming series will feature Finneran in a guest-starring role, marking their first professional collaboration since The Loch and providing viewers with a unique opportunity to see the couple's on-screen chemistry. This Morning continues to air weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
