Death In Paradise star Tony Gardner reveals he contracted ZIKA while filming in the Caribbean
A BBC star has revealed he contracted Zika while filming the Death in Paradise series in the Caribbean.
Tony Gardner realised he had been infected by the mosquito-borne virus after shooting the crime comedy in the islands of Guadeloupe over the summer.
Revealing he was one of the more than 260 Brits to have contracted the virus so far, Gardner also claimed many of the show's cast and crew were also infected.
The 52-year-old trained doctor, speaking on comedian Sean Hughes' podcast, said: "About a couple of hours before I flew out I got a rash. And then for a week I wasn't particularly well with joint pain and swelling.
"I just felt pretty rough actually. It's not a problem for me because I've finished my family. It's quite dangerous for people getting pregnant or men starting families."
He admitted that he "should have been a bit more fierce with the anti-mosquito repellent."
Gardner, who travelled to the Caribbean to film his guest role in the sixth season, added: "There are now about 200 Brits who have had Zika, but quite a lot of them, possibly, come from the group of people that go out to Guadeloupe for six months a year to film."
Red Planet Pictures, which makes the drama for the BBS, have since confirmed that "a small number" were unwell after being bitten.
According to Public Health England, 265 Brit travellers have been infected by the virus.
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It comes as fears were raised that there is a direct link between the mosquito-born virus that has terrified the world, and child glaucoma - which could leave youngsters blind.
Symptoms of the virus already include painful fevers, vomiting, microcephaly, brain damage and even death in babies.
Other concerns have been raised that the Zika virus could leave men infertile.
Doctors have been racing to find an effective treatment for the virus with a vaccine tested earlier this year found to offer total protection to mice and monkeys.
Other work is being done to protect people from the virus - including releasing 60 million genetically-modified mosquitoes to be released in Brazil.
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