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The life of Death In Paradise’s Don Gilet, from EastEnders role to failed relationship | Television and radio | Showbiz and television

The life of Death In Paradise’s Don Gilet, from EastEnders role to failed relationship | Television and radio | Showbiz and television

Death In Paradise is set to introduce a new detective to the sunny beaches of Sainte Marie, and fans are eager to know more about actor Don Gilet.

Death In Paradise season 14 is fast approaching, with its Christmas special scheduled for Sunday, December 22 on BBC A. This episode will mark the debut of DI Mervin Wilson, played by Don Gilet.

As the festive episode approaches, fans can’t wait to delve back into the 57-year-old actor’s off-screen life.

Born in January 1967 in Walsall, West Midlands, Gilet grew up in Caldmore alongside his parents and sister, but now lives in London.

Gilet’s first foray into acting came in 1993 when he appeared in an episode of the sitcom Desmond’s.

He went on to appear on shows such as Demob, Brothers and Sisters, Casualty and Cutting It.

His first significant role was in the series Babyfather in 2001, where he played Johnny Lindo and worked alongside his future. EastEnders co-star Diane Parish.

Before reuniting with Parish, Gilet starred as DS Nicky Cole in the series 55 Degrees North and also appeared in Doctor Who, Meadowlands and Holby City.

Perhaps his most notable role to date has been that of EastEnders“Religious murderer Lucas Johnson, who imprisoned his wife Denise Fox (Parish), making his family believe she was dead.

He recently made a brief return to the soap as Denise visited her ex-husband in prison while dealing with the events surrounding Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) on Christmas Day 2023.

Fast forward to the present, and Gilet is ready to fill Ralf Little’s shoes as the latest detective on Death In Paradise following Little’s departure earlier in the year.

To prepare for the role, the actor imposed strict personal rules.

Living just a few minutes from a magnificent Guadeloupean beach where Death in Paradise is filmed, the actor has forbidden himself from swimming.

He even went so far as to prevent his father, sister and adult son from coming to the island, sharing with Radio Times his commitment not to be distracted from script rehearsals “so you know it by heart”.

Gilet is eager to show the show’s producers that they didn’t make the wrong decision in casting him and is determined not to let them “regret the choice they made.”

Previously married to actress Tracy Whitwell, known for her roles in Soldier Soldier, Peep Show and Playing The Field, Gilet and his ex resided in Bedfordshire and have an adult son named Flynn.

Lately, rumors have been swirling that Gilet may once again be courting romance with Happy Valleys’ Siobhan Finneran, his co-star in The Stranger and The Loch.

Spotted holding hands on the set of The Loch in 2017, and again at this year’s TV Choice Awards, the duo may not have put a label on it, but their affection seems obvious.

But not all television appearances have been trouble-free for Gilet; he had an uncomfortable moment during a segment of The One Show three years ago.

In the middle of an interview on VT, host Alex Jones encountered technical problems while trying to talk about the actor’s time on EastEndersbut he struggled with audio.

As she turned up the volume to try to be heard, the actor retorted, “Alex, it’s not about shouting. It’s the signal!”

Alex, annoyed, quickly apologized for the bad line, just before they lost connection completely.

Death In Paradise returns Sunday, December 22 at 8:30 p.m. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.