Brenda Blethyn and Alan James Blethyn (Couple)

Brenda Blethyn & Alan James Blethyn ​(m. 1964 - d. 1973)

The actress, who is known and loved for her many roles - most notably as eccentric detective Vera Stanhope for the ITV show, married Alan Blethyn in 1964. However, the relationship was not meant to be and the couple went their separate ways nine years later.

In an interview with The Scotsman back in 2019, the Kate & Koji star explained that her busy schedule as a rising actress, got in the way of their marriage. "He met somebody else," she said plainly, adding: "But she was nice, too."

Despite the split, Brenda kept her married name for her professional work.