Don Gilet stars in Death in Paradise. (Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Philippe Virapin/PA Wire)
Don Gilet has been a feature on television screens for decades now, working on some of the most popular shows around.
In 1991 he appeared on The Bill, but it wasn’t until a decade later that he landed his first major role, on Babyfather. It was followed by appearances on the likes of Holby City, Doctors, 55 Degrees North and even Doctor Who.
Don, 58, even had a guest role in in 2015. This year’s Christmas special saw the star becoming the Detective Inspector to front the Caribbean drama.
Detective Inspector Mervin Wilson is the latest British cop to head to the fictional Saint Marie to help locals fight crime. It sees following in the footsteps of stars like Ben Miller, Kris Marshall, Ardal O’Hanlon, and most recently Ralf Little.
Upon being announced as the new detective, Don told The Mirror: “This is a big show, with a big heart and the love continually grows for it. It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated.”
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Don Gilet discovered a passion for acting at a early age. (Image: Matt Crossick/PA Wire)
Fans of the show may be wondering about the star’s life however, including his famous ex-wife, his Midlands upbringing, and his rumoured Happy Valley girlfriend.
Early life
Don was born in 1967 in Walsall in the West Midlands. He developed a passion for acting at an early age, training professionally at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
According to IMDB he first appeared on The Bill as Gary Heywood in 1991, reprising the role in 2003. Then in 1991 he appeared in an episode of The Desmond’s.
He went on to star in Now What, The Return of Nick Cotton and Casualty. But it was in 2001 when he got his big break when he joined the cast of Babyfather with future co-star Diane Parish.
The pair remained close friends ever since and reunited when Don joined Walford as pastor-turned-serial-killer Lucas Johnson in 2008.
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Don Gilet with Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran (Image: Getty)
First marriage and ‘relationship’ with Happy Valley star
Away from the screen, Don likes to keep his love life out of the spotlight. He was previously married to Soldier, Soldier actress Tracy Whitwell.
The pair used to live together in Bedfordshire and share a 17-year-old son, Flynn. Recently however, Don has been romantically linked to Happy Valley star Siobhan Finneran, who played Clare Cartwright.
The pair have not publicly addressed their romance but were spotted holding hands at the TV Choice Awards last year. Siobhan also referred to Don as “my fella” in a conversation with The Guardian.
Don was previously married to Tracy Whitwell. (Image: Getty)
She revealed Don bought her a book on Rudi Hurzlmeier’s artwork as one of her Christmas presents. She wrote: “I found a card I’d been sent years ago, clearing out a drawer, and laughed as soon as I saw it again.
“It’s a picture of a nun looking in a shoe shop, and a bloke next to her has got his hand on her bum. I showed it to Don [Gilet], my fella, and now one of my Christmas presents is a book of Hurzlmeier’s work.”
Don and Siobhan even starred together once, in 2017’s The Loch. The ITV drama saw Don playing psychological profiler Blake Albrighton, while Siobhan starred as DCI Lauren Quigley.
Don will return as DI Mervin Wilson when Death in Paradise returns tonight (January 31) at 9pm on One.