In a rare and candid interview, acclaimed actress Siobhan Finneran has shared intimate details about her enduring romance with fellow actor Don Gilet, shedding light on their unconventional living arrangements.
A Romance Forged on Set
Siobhan Finneran, 59, and Don Gilet, 58, first met while filming ITV's crime drama The Loch in 2017. Finneran portrayed DCI Lauren Quigley, while Gilet took on the role of forensic psychologist Blake Albrighton. Their professional chemistry blossomed into a personal connection, and approximately a year later, in 2018, they began dating.
Despite their close bond, the couple has always maintained separate residences. Finneran calls Saddleworth home, while Gilet is based in north London, creating a significant geographical divide between them.
Making Distance Work
Speaking to The Times, Finneran addressed the unique dynamic of their relationship head-on. She pointed out that Gilet's filming schedule for the BBC hit series Death in Paradise means he is abroad for the majority of the year, making the distance between their UK homes less of an issue.
"That's just the way it is, isn't it? That's how it's always been," she stated. "And he's out of the country for seven months a year doing Death in Paradise anyway."
The actress, known for her role in Happy Valley, also revealed she has visited Gilet on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, where the show is filmed, describing it as an "amazing place."
Rejecting the 'Power Couple' Label
Finneran was quick to dismiss any suggestion that she and Gilet constitute a showbiz "power couple." With a touch of self-deprecating humour, she confessed their daily life is far from glamorous.
"I've not heard that one before," she joked. "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."
The couple's relationship became public knowledge after months of speculation when Finneran affectionately referred to Gilet as "my fella" in an interview with The Guardian. They had previously been photographed together at events like the TV Choice Awards, hand-in-hand, before officially confirming their romance.
Fans of Don Gilet can look forward to seeing him reprise his role as DI Mervin Wilson in the Death in Paradise Christmas Special. The festive episode, featuring guest stars Josie Lawrence, Kate Ashfield, Pearl Mackie, and James Baxter, aired on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 28th December at 8.30pm.
