This weekend's episode of Vera could be a sad one for fans of the much loved drama as Paul Kaye bows out of the show, after years of playing Dr Malcolm Donahue,
Since joining the Vera cast for series 9, Paul, who shot to fame in the 90s as spoof journalist Dennis Pennis, has become a real favourite with fans of the ITV show, with millions enjoying Dr Malcom's at times fraught and frank exchanges with Brenda Blethyn's no nonsense sleuth DCi Stanhope.
It was BAFTA winner Brenda who broke the news of Paul's departure as she teased what to expect from the new episodes of Vera, which kicked off earlier this month. Talking about Paul. Vera's leading lady 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.
“The relationship between Vera and Malcolm has been interesting to play."
READ MORE: ITV viewers left 'stumped' over Vera filming location in Durham
Paul will be seen on screen in this Sunday's first episode of series 12, after series 11 wrapped up on Sunday night with tense whodunnit The Way The Wind Blows.
Series 12 opener Against The Tide will see DCI Stanhope called to a remote lighthouse where the body of local enforcement officer and experienced amateur sailor Frank Channing has been discovered lashed to a sailboat.
An ITV preview for the two hour story adds: "A family man, with strong friendships, who was well respected at work, surely this really was just an accident? However, it's not long before Vera discovers evidence suggesting foul play. Vera and her team piece together Frank’s final days and soon discover that his life wasn’t all plain sailing"
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Against the Tide will be Paul Kaye's last as Dr Malcolm, with new pathologist, Dr Paula Bennett coming in for the next, 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.
"We meet Paula in the fourth film ‘For The Grace Of God’. That’s a really good story that deals with ex-Army personnel and homelessness when a former soldier ends up down and out on the streets of Newcastle."
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