15 February 2024 , 23:31
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Brenda Blethyn had a very important new role to get her teeth into - lending a hand a local charity shop.
The Vera star and legendary actress, 77, found some time to help out where it was really needed, officially opening the store in Godalming, Surrey. She wanted to do what she could for the Shooting Stars outlet and was quick to say yes after she was invited along.
The much-loved TV star - who plays DCI Vera Stanhope in the ITV show - jumped at the chance to swing by and took to social media to promoted the shops, which supports babies, children and young people living with life-limiting conditions and their families. She caught up with fans while she helped draw in the crowds. Writing on social media, Brenda revealed: "So proud to have opened "Shooting Stars" Charity Shop in High St Godalming today.
The TV star met some fans after lending a hand out the Shooting Stars outlet (ITV)"Staff delightful. and thanks to the many VERA fans who attended. much appreciated by me and the charity." One fan replied: "Thank you Brenda for chatting to my autistic adult son Freddy today in Godalming. We are huge Vera fans xx." Another told the beloved actress after getting to meet her: "Was lovely seeing you - even if we did risk getting the sack to sneak out of work."
Brenda last month spoke out about the possibility of a new series of Vera, as the thirteenth series of the ITV drama began airing earlier this year with David Leon returning as DS Joe Ashworth. But fans have been left 'gutted' as ITV revealed the future of the show and Brenda had to step in to comfort fans.
Vera's Brenda Blethyn admits 'avoiding fans' to not ‘jeopardise’ filming of show
Viewers of the show have been disappointed to learn that the next episode would not arrive until 2025. One wrote: "Gutted to hear @ITV #vera is coming back in 2025, Vera seems to get shorter and shorter. We need to see more of Brenda Blethyn, Vera on our screens 2025 is too far away." A second added: "I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye and I'm genuinely shocked and happy it's returning #Vera."
Brenda has confessed she wouldn't have come back for a new series without David by her side. "After we filmed The Rising Tide at the end of 2022 I didn’t want to do anymore without Kenny Doughty, who had decided to leave. But I said, ‘I’ll think about it if you can see if David Leon is available to return as Joe Ashworth’.
"And so they did and here I am. I was broken-hearted when David left after series four and equally overjoyed when I heard he was coming back as the relationship between Vera and Joe worked so well. They have all of that early history together. I wouldn’t have continued if David had not agreed to come back. I just didn’t want to start another board game with somebody else when I know I’m not going to do many more. And who would want to do it anyway?"