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Don Gilet

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Don Gilét
Born (1967-01-17) 17 January 1967 (age 57)
Walsall, West Midlands, England
OccupationActor
Years active1993-1995, 1998, 2000-2010, 2012-2022, 2024–present
TelevisionEastEnders
55 Degrees North
Holby City
Old Jack's Boat
SpouseTracy Whitwell (divorced)
Children1

Don Gilét (born 17 January 1967) is an English actor. He is best known for his roles in the BBC series Babyfather (2001–2002), 55 Degrees North (2004–2005), and EastEnders (2008–2010, 2016, 2020–2021, 2024).

Early life

He was brought up in Caldmore, Walsall, with two older sisters. He attended Whitehall Junior School before Blue Coat Church of England Academy and Sunday school at Caldmore Gospel Hall in Caldmore, and the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

Career

Gilét's first television appearance was on the Channel 4 dating show Streetmate, where he was interviewed as the friend of a participant. His first major role was playing Johnny Lindo in Babyfather (opposite future EastEnders co-star Diane Parish), before landing the lead role in the detective series 55 Degrees North, as Detective Sergeant Nicky Cole. In 2006, he played Leo Charles in The Line of Beauty and had a prominent role in the Doctor Who Christmas episode "The Runaway Bride". He often performs his own stunts on set.

In 2001, Gilét appeared in a commercial for Apple's iMac G4 Computer. The commercial was named "Window Shopping" and displayed Gilét making certain gestures towards the iMac, which the computer later copied. He also appeared as a store manager in a staff training video for Sainsbury's supermarkets. He has had minor appearances in Casualty, Holby City, Silent Witness and The Bill.

Gilét featured in the music video for Gabrielle's 2001 hit "Out of Reach". In 2011, he featured in a music video for the song 'I Want You to Remember' by solo artist I Am Spartacus.

In theatre, he has appeared in As You Like It and The Alchemist.

In April 2008, he joined the popular BBC television soap opera EastEnders playing serial killer Lucas Johnson.[1] Gilét's character left EastEnders on 30 July 2010.

In 2010, he appeared as Abanazar in the Churchill Theatre Bromley's Christmas pantomime Aladdin alongside Melinda Messenger. He followed up this performance in 2011 by appearing at the Grove Theatre,[2] Dunstable in Jack and the Beanstalk, which also featured his EastEnders co-star Gemma Bissix.

In May 2013, Gilét played the roles of Fuliginous, Ruislip & Blackfriar in a BBC radio adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, adapted by Dirk Maggs.

In 2014, Gilét joined the cast of BBC medical drama Holby City in the role of Consultant Anaesthetist Jesse Law.[3]

In 2015, Gilét re-joined the cast of BBC soap opera EastEnders to reprise his role of Lucas Johnson. The first episode that Gilét was featured in was aired on 1 January 2016. His character returned later that year, when his character returned to his villainous way by trying to escape from prison. Gilét's character departed the show again on 10 March 2016. In 2017, Gilét joined the TV series The Loch, playing psychologist Blake Albrighton. The character made his debut in the series's first episode on 11 June 2017.

In 2020, it was announced that Gilét was set to return to the BBC soap opera, EastEnders to reprise his role of Lucas Johnson.[4] The character returned on 25 December 2020 and departed on 18 March 2021.[5] Then in 2022, he portrayed the role of Coach Harris in the BBC series Rebel Cheer Squad.[6] Gilèt rejoined EastEnders in 2024 for a brief guest stint.

In 2024, it was announced that Gilét will take on a leading role in BBC detective drama, Death in Paradise.[7] as DI Mervin Wilson.

Personal life

Gilét previously lived in Bedfordshire with his wife, Tracy Whitwell, an actress and author, and their son. Gilét is close friends with EastEnders co-star Diane Parish, both having been in Babyfather together.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2010 Inside Soap Awards Best Actor Nominated [8]
Best Dramatic Performance Nominated [8]
The British Soap Awards Villain of the Year Nominated [9]
2011 Shortlisted [10]
16th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Nominated [11]

References

  1. ^ Hilton, Beth (29 January 2008). "'Babyfather' star joins 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  2. ^ "What's On at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable Archived 30 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine", The Grove Theatre. URL. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  3. ^ Moon, Katy (19–25 April 2014). "Jesse loves to be controversial!". Inside Soap (15): 41.
  4. ^ Lindsay, Duncan (1 October 2020). "'EastEnders spoilers: Serial killer Lucas Johnson returns – to murder again?'". Metro. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Is Lucas Johnson leaving EastEnders and will he die in prison?". Heart (radio network). Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Teen mystery and suspense returns to BBC iPlayer with Rebel Cheer Squad". BBC Media Centre. 8 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  7. ^ "There's a new detective in Saint Marie!". X (formerly Twitter). 02/05/2024. Retrieved 02/05/2024. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ a b Wightman, Catriona (13 July 2010). "In full: Inside Soap Awards 2010 nominees". Digital Spy.
  9. ^ Green, Kris; Kilkelly, Daniel (9 May 2010). "British Soap Awards 2010: The Winners". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  10. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (14 May 2011). "British Soap Awards 2011: The Winners". Digital Spy.
  11. ^ Wightman, Catriona (21 September 2010). "National Television Awards 2011 - Nominees". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
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