Brenda Blethyn stunned This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on Friday as she confirmed she would return to Vera against all odds - but on a strict condition.

The actress, 79 - who played the protagonist DCI Vera Stanhope in the ITV series between 2011 and 2025  - appeared in the studio to chat about her new movie Dragonfly. 

Crime drama Vera aired 56 episodes across 14 series over 14 years - and fans were gutted when it was revealed that it was over earlier this year.

But Alison, 50, and Dermot, 52, were very keen to address the rumours that the programme was going to make a return to our screens, and if she would ever go back. 

Alison said: 'Is it true, those rumours?' 

Brenda shot back: 'Well, no, I don't think so... I think they've got rid of the set!

'But somebody asked me would I ever go back?

'I said If they were doing a special... certainly, yes, I'd leap at it.

'That's unlikely to happen, I'm too busy!' 

'You said you were going to slow down, and you haven't slowed down,' Alison pointed out.  

It's not the first time that the star has mentioned a spin-off. 

Previously talking to The Mirror, Brenda said: 'If they suddenly wanted to do a special of Vera, I would be back like a shot. 

'The set is gone now, so they would have to be creative with that.'

ITV's synopsis of the Vera states: 'Brenda Blethyn is the obsessive crime-cracker, DCI Vera Stanhope. 

'Watch her tackle complex and often baffling cases in her dogged pursuit of the truth.' 

Brenda is joined alongside David Leon, Jon Morrison, Wunmi Mosaku, Paul Ritter, Cush Jumbo, Sonya Cassidy, Riley Jones, Clare Calbraith and Kingsley Ben-Adir.

The likes of Kenny Doughty, Lisa Hammond, Christopher Colquhoun and Steve Evets are also part of the cast.

Back in January Vera's last ever episode showed detective Brenda as a troubled teenager - and the heartbreaking decision that changed her life forever.   

In January 2024 it was confirmed that the programme would return, but the next would be the end. 

And viewers were finally given an insight into Vera's younger years - which have never been touched upon before.

Fans find out that when she was just 12 years old she had to balance her own grief and also look after her dad. 

Indeed, the hardships that she endured when she was a youngster shaped her into the resilient person that fans know and love. 

During the episode, Vera works on case about a missing girl called Chloe - which then incorporates flashback from her childhood. 

The scenes include dialogue between Vera and her dad Hector Stanhope (Stevie Raine) and one decision that changes her life forever.  

Those watching at home will be treated to behind-the-scenes clips of what went down while filming the final series. 

Vera fans broke down in tears as they watched the first of the final instalments of the show. 

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.