Death in Paradise fans have been left in shock after discovering Don Gilet has a famous girlfriend.

The 59-year-old, who plays DI Mervin Wilson on the BBC detective drama, has been in a relationship with Happy Valley actress Siobhan Finneran since 2018.

The duo initially met whilst filming ITV crime drama The Loch, where Siobhan, 60, took on the role of DCI Lauren Quigley and Don appeared as forensic psychologist Blake Albrighton.

Don is also famed for playing villainous Lucas Johnson on EastEnders, while Siobhan is known for her role as Janice Garvey in the sitcom Benidorm, Nikki Kirkbright in Cold Feet, and Sarah O'Brien in Downton Abbey.

During the latest series of Death in Paradise, which aired earlier this year, Siobhan joined Don for one episode, playing Fleur Edwards, an artist who relocated to Saint Marie three months ago in search of creative inspiration.

Discussing their collaboration on the BBC series, Don humorously suggested during an appearance on This Morning that his girlfriend had anticipated a proposal from him on set.

Presenter Alison Hammond wasted no time asking the actor about guest appearances in the new run, remarking: "Your girlfriend's gonna be in this, is isn't she?", adding: "I like what you did there when you got her on the holiday."

Don responded with humour: "I thought they edited her out". Laughter erupted as he added, "I said to her, I've got a surprise for you, and she thought I was gonna propose."

He added: "She loved doing it and it was great working with her. She has come a long way. Have you not seen the stillness she created in front of the camera since being with me, there is something, you can't bottle it.

"There's something about the way she acts now. There's a new confidence to her and she gets more work now."

Despite the couple being an item for eight years, some fans have only just realised that Don and Siobhan are an item.

Taking X, one person explained: "Sorry, how have I just learned that Don Gilet and Siobhan Finneran have been in a relationship since 2018... 8 YEARS!?!?!?"

A second exclaimed: "Sorry, they're WHAT????", while a third simply chimed in with a picture of a shocked face.

"Lucas and Janice?!" asked one person as another added: "Them two!?!?!"

Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer