Vera fans are calling on ITV bosses to promote Riley Jones to be DCI Stanhope's sidekick to replace Kenny Doughty, right after the popular actor gave an emotional response to his co-star's exit.
It's now been a week since since Kenny announced that he had left his role as DS Aiden Healy, after eight years of playing leading lady Brenda's partner in crime. In a statement he posted on Instagram, former Coronation Street star Kenny wrote: ""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."
Kenny also went onto thanks his Vera colleagues and ITV viewers and its fans of the show who are now sounding off about who they want to fill his vacant post as Vera's trusted assistant..
And while some fans are very keen to see David Leon return, almost a decade after he quit as Vera's original sidekick, DS Joe Ashworth; it's North East actor Riley and his character DC Mark Edwards who many want to get the job.
Taking to Twitter, one posted: "I'm hoping #DCEdwards will get a promotion to DS," with another directly tweeting Riley to write "You need to be Vera’s new DS," Gutted by the news that Kenny was quitting, a third tweeted: "I'm only going to be OK if DC Mark Edwards takes over as Vera's sidekick"
Calls for Riley to be promoted to Vera's sidekick came as he publicly reacted to Kenny's announcement on his departure. Responding in the comments thread of his co-star's Instagram post, Riley wrote: "Where to even start. It’s been an absolute pleasure working alongside you for all these years. After 35 films your energy, enthusiasm and sense of fun on set never wavered. You’re a true professional and have not only made me a better actor but a better person."
He added: "Here’s to your next chapter. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Whatever it is I’m sure it’ll be awesome!"
While there has been no official qword from ITV as to whether there'll be a 13th series of Vera,, Brenda Blethyn let the cat out of the bag when she assured a fan there would be, after they asked her outright on Twitter.
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