EastEnders Star Joseph Millson Announces Engagement to Actress Lilli Fichtner
Former EastEnders and Holby City actor Joseph Millson has revealed his engagement to girlfriend Lilli Fichtner, who is nearly two decades younger than him. The 51-year-old star popped the question over the Christmas period but waited until Valentine's Day to share the joyous news with his fans on social media.
A Surprising Turn of Events
Millson admitted that he was taken aback by his own decision to get engaged again, as this will mark his third marriage. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he shared a selfie with his 32-year-old fiancée and wrote a lengthy caption expressing his emotions. He quoted Wordsworth, saying, "'Surprised by joy' as Wordsworth would say... Not too long ago I was pretty certain my old heart was too bruised and bashed to ever love again."
He continued, "It was going to take someone pretty extraordinary to breathe life into it. Then I met Lilli. A woman shaped by kindness, intelligence, talent, beauty, patience, humour and humanity." Millson also reflected on the courage required for love, referencing St. Valentine in his message.
Recent Divorce and Past Marriages
The engagement comes just one year after Millson finalised his divorce from Sarah Jane Potts, to whom he was married for 12 years. The couple tied the knot in 2013 after meeting on the set of Holby City, where Millson played the role of Luc Hemingway. They separated in 2024 and their divorce was completed in 2025.
Prior to his marriage to Potts, Millson was married to actress Caroline Fitzgerald from 1999 to 2011. That union produced two children. His relationship with Fichtner, who is also an actress known for her work in German films, began appearing on social media in April 2025, though the exact duration of their courtship remains unknown.
Career Highlights and Other Soap News
Joseph Millson is best known for his role as Jason James on EastEnders in 2002, where his character was engaged to Lynne Hobbs. His acting credits extend beyond soap operas, including a part in the James Bond film Casino Royale.
In related entertainment news, Millson is not the only EastEnders alum to celebrate a recent wedding. Natalie Spence, who made a one-off appearance on the soap in 2021, married her Home and Away star boyfriend Ryan Brown in January. The couple exchanged vows in Sydney, surrounded by fellow soap star friends, including Matt Evans and Sophea Pennington.
As Millson and Fichtner plan their future together, fans eagerly await more details about their upcoming nuptials and the next chapter in the actor's personal life.
