Brenda Blethyn says 'it was time' for Vera to come to an end
ITV fans are bracing themselves for the final chapter of the beloved crime series Vera, as it draws the curtain this month. Since it began in 2011, the show has captivated audiences across the UK for over ten years.
Initially, fans were engrossed by the crime-solving prowess of DCI Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn) and her sidekick Joe Ashworth (David Leon). But in a twist that left viewers longing, Joe departed in 2014 to embark on a new chapter in London with his family.
The excitement was palpable last year when DS Ashworth made a triumphant return to Northumberland, reuniting with Vera. With the series conclusion on the horizon, we delve into David Leon's life beyond his ITV fame.
Before he became synonymous with Vera, David had an entirely different pursuit. The actor, now 44, once graced the football pitch as a promising player for Blackburn Rovers F.C, reports Chronicle Live.
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His football dreams were dashed at 19 when the club released him, a move that took him by surprise. Reflecting on his early sports career with The Guardian, David revealed the release was a jolt back to reality.
He recounted: "It came very easily, and I thought, 'This is just going to happen'. Then you get to 16 and other things come into your life. It was a big wake-up call when I was released, because I had p****d it all away."
While many recognise him from Vera, there's a lesser-known role that might have slipped under the radar. David's acting journey began with his debut role as Tom Vale in the 2003 crime drama Merseybeat.
He then joined the cast of BBC's Cutting It from 2004 to 2005, sharing screen time with Amanda Holden and Angela Griffin.
Set in a hair salon, David portrayed Troy Gillespie, a coffee shop manager and half-brother to Mia Bevan, played by Britain's Got Talent judge Holden. His stint on the show lasted for 12 episodes before its conclusion.
David's portfolio also includes appearances in Silent Witness and Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla.
While he has an impressive acting resume, David's prowess extends to writing and directing. His short film Man and Boy was shortlisted for both an Oscar and a Bafta, and clinched Best Narrative Short at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2011, according to his website.
Furthermore, his first feature film Orthodox was nominated for the Douglas Hickox award by Bifa for both Best Debut Director and the Discovery Award.
An segment from his site reads: "He is currently in development on his next feature “Land of hope and Glory” with BBC Film and adapting for Television the novel “You could do something amazing with your life” the account of the final days of vigilante gunman Raoul Moat."
Vera is available to watch on ITVX
