Brenda Blethyn's Vera co-star Kenny Doughty once dated his famous co-star, according to reports.
Kenny Doughty, 47, who plays DS Aiden Healy on the ITV show was said to be in a relationship with Love, Lies and Records actress Ashley Jensen.
The Scottish star, 53, best-known for starring alongside Ricky Gervais in Extras, played Kate Dickinson in the BBC show and was seen holding hands with Kenny in a restaurant last year.
The pair are thought to have grown close to each other in summer 2021, with a source saying: "Ashley and Kenny have been friends for some time, and he has been an immense support to her in the past few years.
"They make a lovely couple, and all their friends are absolutely delighted for them. Ashley is both a wonderful actress and person - and she deserves this second chance at happiness," the insider added to The Sun.
Ashley suffered heartache when her husband actor Terence Beesley was found dead at the couple's home in 2017.
The pair met in the 1990s after working together in a stage production of King Lear and went on to get married in 2007 before welcoming a son together in 2009.
However, the actress was left devastated when Terence – who had starred in The Bill – took his own life and she found his body at their family home in Somerset.
Ashley told the inquest into her husband's death in 2018: “I was extremely shocked by what happened that night and I will never ever forget it.
"Terry and I had been together for 18 years but I had no idea he was capable of what he did."
Ashley's co-star Kenny shot to fame on Vera as adorable detective Aiden.
He works closely with Brenda Blethyn, 76, who plays the titular character with the pair even bubbling up during lockdown.
Speaking about filming the series, Brenda said: “As Kenny and I have a lot of scenes together, and especially in the Land Rover, it was decided we should be in a bubble.
“Very nice for me – not so for him! Our apartments were next door to one another.
“We weren’t allowed visitors – even my husband wasn’t allowed to visit unless he’d been tested or quarantined .”
Brenda has played the principal character, Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope in the ITV series since the British crime drama premiered in 2011.
However, she admitted she was devastated when her co-star David Leon left the series in 2014 to pursue other work commitments.
"I never thought I’d get over David going – that broke my heart," Brenda told us, but added: "But Kenny is a joy. He’s my mate."
The Mirror has contacted reps for Ashley and Kenny.
Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org
