ITV audiences are gearing up for an emotional farewell as the beloved crime drama Vera airs its final episode this month. The show, which first captivated viewers in 2011, has been a staple of British television for over ten years. Initially, fans were drawn into the world of Detective DCI Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn) as she cracked intricate cases with her sidekick Joe Ashworth (portrayed by David Leon). But in a twist that tugged at heartstrings, 2014 saw Joe depart the series to embark on a new chapter in London with his family.
The excitement was palpable last year when DS Ashworth made a dramatic return to Northumberland, reuniting with Vera. With the curtain closing on the series, we peek behind the scenes into David Leon's life beyond the ITV drama. Unexpected career. David Leon may be synonymous with Vera now, but there was a time when he chased a very different dream. The actor, now 44, once showcased his skills on the football pitch for Blackburn Rovers F.C, reports Chronicle Live.
His football journey came to an abrupt halt at 19 when the club released him. Reflecting on his early sporting ambitions with The Guardian, David shared his shock at the turn of events. He revealed: "It came very easily, and I thought, 'This is just going to happen'. Then you get to 16 and other things come into your life. It was a big wake-up call when I was released, because I had p****d it all away.".
Forgotten role. David's acting debut was in the crime drama Merseybeat back in 2003, where he took on the role of Tom Vale. However, his notable stint was in the BBC series Cutting It from 2004 to 2005, sharing screen space with Amanda Holden and Angela Griffin.
