VERA’S hunky sidekick David Leon starred alongside Amanda Holden in a forgotten BBC drama years before his current role.

The actor, who is making a welcome return as DS Joe Ashworth nine years after last playing the character, previously starred in Cutting It, which aired for four series between 2002 and 2005.

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In the hair salon drama, David, now 42, played coffee shop manager and Mia Bevan’s [Holden] half-brother Troy Gillespie over 12 episodes.

Troubled Mia harassed her wealthy lothario ex-husband Finn Bevan after he ditched her in pursuit of first love and salon owner Allie Henshall [Sarah Parish].

Mia nearly took her own life as she struggled to move on but was saved by her brother before being sectioned.

Meanwhile, ITV today confirms Vera is returning for a thirteenth series, with Brenda Blethyn once again playing the titular detective.

The network also revealed that Kenny Doughty, who played Aiden Healy, and Ibinabo Jack, DC Jacqueline ‘Jac’ Williams, would not be returning.

After eight years on the show, Kenny, 47, will be replaced by returning David, whose reason for leaving in 2014 was never revealed.

Brenda commented: “It’s been such a pleasure to work alongside Kenny and Ibinabo.

“They’ve both been terrific members of the Vera team, and I’ll miss them.

“I’m absolutely over the moon to welcome David back to the show and can’t wait to get started.”

Cast returning alongside Brenda and David for three new feature length films including Jon Morrison, who plays DC Kenny Lockhart and Riley Jones, who plays DC Mark Edwards.

Further casting and information about the new series will be announced when filming begins in the summer.

The Rising Tide, a feature-length episode based on the eleventh Vera novel written by Ann Cleeves, will be Kenny and Ibinabo’s final appearance in the series. The episodes will be scheduled later this year.

Vera airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.

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