Vera star Brenda Blethyn has been ;'nundated' with messages from upset viewers, desperate to stop her co-star Paul Kaye from leaving the ITV drama.
In interviews about Vera's return to screens, leading lady and BAFTA winner Brenda let slip that Paul, famous for being Dennis Pennis in the 90s, was walking away from his role as Dr Malcolm Donahue, after four years on the show., While she stayed tight-lipped on just how his exit would play out, the news that Paul was bowing out, left fans absolutely gutted.
HIs final scenes as Malcolm aired during Sunday nighty's first episode of series 12, with the pathologist locking horns with DCi Stanhjope one final time, as she tried to get to grips with the deal of a man whose lifeless body was found in a sailing boat.
As Malcolm moaned at Vera for "trampling all over the evidence," viewers lapped up the often fraught banter between the pair, while wishing that Paul wasn't actually quitting Vera.
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Directly tweeting Brenda, one fan pleaded: "Don't let Malcolm go Vera @BrendaBlethyn," with another taking to Twitter to post: "Noooo I don’t want Malcolm to leave."
Witnessing Malcolm, get one final dig in at Vera, a third viewer, also upset he was going, commented: "Don’t forget to trample on more evidence on your way out’. I’m going to miss Malcolm, especially the sarcasm between him and Vera"
Talking about Paul's exit and paying tribute to him, co-star Brenda said: "Paul is one of the most positive people I know. No matter what the circumstances he’ll find something positive to say. There was total respect between Vera and Malcolm along with some very dry humour from him."
Dr Malcolm's replacement, Dr Paula Bennett will make her debut in the next of episode of Vra, For The Grace of God, which will air on Sunday, February 5. Talking about Malcolm's successor, played by Sara Kameela Impey, Brenda added: "When they first meet Vera isn’t quite sure what to make of her and thinks she’s a bit too clever for her own good. But she is clever in a good sense.
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