Brenda: Vera lives on...I didn't want her killed off

BRENDA Blethyn has said she wanted Det Chief Insp Vera Stanhope to live to tell the tale in the crime drama's final outing.

- Nicola Methven

The actress also revealed she has "imposter syndrome" and feels she's "never cracked" her character's Geordie accent.

Millions of Vera fans were relieved on Thursday when Brenda's character of 14 years strolled into the sunset.

Emotional

In ITV documentary Vera, Farewell Pet, Brenda said: "I didn't want Vera killed off because I suspected that she'd be living on in the books.

"She's a sensible woman, Vera, she knows when it's time to call it a day. In the same way Brenda Blethyn knows when it's time to call it a day. You just sense when the time is right."