Kenny Doughty, the star of Vera, has announced his departure from the programme after eight seasons.
Kenny first appeared in the show in 2015, as DS Aiden Healy, the right-hand man to Brenda Blethyn’s DCI Vera Stanhope at Northumberland & City Police.
But, he announced this week that he was stepping down as the detective.
‘After 8 years & 35 Vera films I’ve made the difficult decision of handing over DS Healy’s badge. I can confirm I am leaving Vera,’ he said.
‘I want to thank everyone who’s made this amazing time so joyous, ITV, Silverprint, all the brilliant cast and crew BUT of course my buddy & inspiration Brenda Blethyn. The perfect leading star who I owe so much to.
‘I feel lucky to have you as a friend, you make me howl with laughter & have been a rock for me over the years. I can’t thank you enough. Precious times.’
He added: ‘And finally the Vera fans: without you and your support I would never have made so many films. You really are the best fans in the world. Thank you so much for your loyalty & love for the show. X.’
Kenny also posted a number of images from the set of the new season, which wrapped just before Christmas.
He captioned the photo ‘thanks for the memories,’ which prompted some fans to wonder whether the programme was coming to an end.
Kenny’s article received a lot of comments when he announced his departure, many of which wished him the best in whatever came next.
‘Oh mate. Congratulations. You’ve been wonderful ❤️ Here’s to the future xx,’ Russell T. Davies wrote.
Former Coronation Street actor Jack James Ryan, who featured on an episode of the show last year, stated that Vera’s tremendous loss was the industry’s massive gain.
‘I genuinely can’t wait to see what you do next,’ he wrote.
‘Can’t thank you enough for making me feel so welcome during my brief time on the show. Onwards, and hopefully see you out there! Big love x,’ he wrote.
A fan added: ‘Oh no gutted you’re leaving but wish you all the best. As long as V is NOT going anywhere totally love this show.’
Fans of Vera, on the other hand, don’t appear to have to worry about the show’s star departing anytime soon, as Brenda stated in 2021 that she “totally expects” to work till the end of her life.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping, she said: ‘My parents worked until their dying days, and I fully expect to be doing the same.
‘They instilled that work ethic in me; if you want to earn some money, you’ve got to work for it.’
The actors said that she loves being active and would ‘always find something to do, even if it’s painting a wall’.
Vera is streaming on ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.
