Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Vera star Kenny Doughty's love life off-screen as famous girlfriend revealed

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.

Brenda Blethyn's Vera co-star Kenny Doughty once dated his famous co-star, according to reports (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"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.

Kenny and Ashley both starred in Love, Lies & Records (BBC / Rollem Productions)

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.

Sources said Kenny and Ashley 'made a lovely couple' (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Ashley suffered tragedy when her husband died in 2017 (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Audi UK)

“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

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.