Vera star's heartbreak over co-star's exit after 8 years & special final moment

06 December 2023 , 07:00

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Vera star Brenda Blethyn has spoken of her heartbreak over her co-star Kenny Doughty's exit from Vera after eight years as her sidekick on the ITV drama (Image: ITV)

Brenda Blethyn has spoken of her heartbreak over her co-star's exit from Vera after eight years.

The legendary actress - who plays DCI Vera Stanhope in the ITV drama - will appear alongside her co-star Kenny Doughty, who plays her right-hand man DS Aiden Healy, for a final time for the show's Christmas special, The Rising Tide.

Speaking about his exit, she said: "I was sad when he said he was leaving. He’s my mate. We had filmed eight series together. I’ve never laughed so hard as I did with Kenny Doughty. Vera and Aiden became very close over the years.

"It’s not surprising because she spent most of her time with him at work. And it was a good working relationship between the two characters as well as liking each other. Kenny and I kept each other company between scenes during long days, weeks and months of filming. As well as at weekends because we were both working away from home. It’s total commitment. Kenny was also my neighbour in the apartments where I stay during filming. I’ll miss him and wish him well."

Kenny Doughty will be bowing out of the show after the Christmas special (ITV)

However, Aiden will get a very special moment in the Christmas episode, a show first for his character in his final outing.

Vera's Brenda Blethyn admits 'avoiding fans' to not ‘jeopardise’ filming of show

"Aiden gets to drive Vera’s Land Rover on his own across the causeway to Holy Island. Not many people get to drive her car. That was a special treat for Kenny. Mind you, Vera is very keen that he doesn’t scratch her motor. Although I’m not sure you would notice if he did!" she explained of the special scenes in The Rising Tide, which will air this Christmas.

Speaking about the scenes, Kenny added: "Aiden gets to drive Vera’s Land Rover on his own across the causeway to Holy Island. I think we’ve seen him being given the keys on screen before but I’m not sure I’ve ever been seen actually driving it. It was amazing to drive Vera’s Land Rover across the Holy Island causeway. Vera tells Aiden not to scratch her motor.

"And she would probably notice if he did! The Land Rover is very noisy to drive - it’s hard for the sound man when we’re talking in the car as it is moving. But it’s a beautiful vehicle. The dashboard of that Land Rover is full of old sandwich and crisp packets and so on. Some people who come in to work just for the day think that mess was made by Brenda and I and they try and clean it away. It’s like, ‘Wait, wait, wait!’ All of it is placed there very deliberately. And I swear Brenda would know every single bit and where it should go."

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Jasmine Allday