Actress Siobhan Finneran, 59, has spoken about her relationship with Death in Paradise actor Don Gilet, 58, revealing why the couple maintain separate households. The pair met on the set of ITV's crime drama The Loch in 2017, where Finneran played DCI Lauren Quigley and Gilet portrayed forensic psychologist Blake Albrighton. Their professional connection turned romantic around a year later, in 2018.
Finneran lives in Saddleworth, while Gilet is based in north London. However, she insists the geographical distance is manageable, noting that Gilet spends seven months a year filming Death in Paradise in Guadeloupe. Speaking to The Times, she said: 'That's just the way it is, isn't it? That's how it's always been. And he's out of the country for seven months a year doing Death in Paradise anyway.'
The Happy Valley star also revealed she has visited Gilet on the French Caribbean island, describing it as an 'amazing place'. She dismissed the idea that they are a 'power couple', confessing they can be 'hopeless' when organising themselves. '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,' she joked.
Finneran first hinted at the romance in a Guardian interview, referring to Gilet as 'my fella'. The couple had previously been photographed holding hands at showbiz events. Gilet is set to return as DI Mervin Wilson in the Death in Paradise Christmas Special, airing on Sunday 28th December at 8.30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
