Fans of popular BBC drama Our Girl saw their excitement of one of its stars being in Vera, quickly turned o disappointment, when he was killed off just minutes into the episode.
When Vera made its long awaited return to screens last month, fans were delighted to finally get a fix of new Vera action and, after the surprise appearance of former Watching star Paul Bown last week, it was the turn of Mark Armstrong, famous for playing Spanner in 12 episodes of Our Girl, to join the cast of the much loved ITV Sunday night show.
Mark was right at the centre of the plot of episode two of Vera series 12. Called For The Grace of God, it focused on Mark's character Conn Burns, a former soldier who found himself homeless after his life took a downward turn. As the Vera action moved to Newcastle, Conn was seen on the famous Millennium Bridge holding a bit of card with 'Ex Army. Please Help' written on it and walking through the city, before heading into a church to light a candle.
Sadly, for the Our Girl fans that recognised Mark, that was the last time his latest character Conn was seen alive, as his lifeless body was discovered in a pile of rubbish by a woman on her hen do, right next Riverside and the Hard Rock Café on the Quayside, sparking an investigation for DCI Stanhope and her team, including new pathologist Dr Paula Bennett, to get to grips with.
Mark teased his short-lived appearance on social media on Saturday, telling his Twitter and Instagram followers: "VERA tomorrow night, 8pm @itv look out for Conn Burns. Had a great time working with an amazing team. Hope you all enjoy it."
Many fans told him how excited they were to see him back on screen and, after witnessing his brief appearance and likening it to Martin Compston being killed off in the first episode of BBC's Vigil, another tweeted: "Well @182alonso even by @martin_compston in #vigil that was brief lol #vera @ITV #gutted but good to see u."
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