Brazilian actor Domingos Montagner drowns in river near set of TV show

Witnesses thought he was being filmed so initially did not try to help him

Domingos Montagner was hugely popular in Brazil (Domingos Montagner/Facebook )

A popular Brazilian television star has drowned while swimming near a film set in north eastern Brazil.

The body of Domingos Montagner was found 18 metres underwater and 320 metres from where he was last seen in the Sao Francisco River, near the town of Caninde in Sergipe state.

Bystanders are reported to have initially not tried to help because they thought his predicament was actually part of filming.

Mr Montagner, 54, starred in the Velho Chico soap opera as a farmer who often had to fight off gunmen and had previously been depicted getting into difficulties in the river, which plays a significant part in the programme.

Globo TV produces the series and confirmed the crew had been shooting in the area.

Police said Mr Montagner had been swimming with fellow actress, Camila Pitanga. She described how, after the two had dived into the water from a rock, she noticed the current was particularly strong and got out.

Ms Pitanga reportedly tried to pull out Mr Montagner as he followed her but was unable to maintain a grip and he was dragged away by the current.

"They thought it was safe, but in fact it was one of the most dangerous [places] for bathing,” Police Chief Antonio Francisco Filho told Brazilian newspaper O Globo.

“This is a part of the river in Caninde that is not commonly be used by swimmers.”

The death caused huge upset in Brazil, where soap operas – known as telenovelas – are hugely popular and watched by millions. Numerous tributes were paid by other actors and by the public.

Despite being in his 50s, only Mr Montagner began his TV career in 2008, having started out in show business working for a circus.

He is survived by his wife and three children.