Kenny Doughty, best recognised for his role as DC Aiden Healy in ITV’s Vera, has revealed being ‘starstruck’ during an early acting gig, as he braces for a return to our screens post-Vera.
The 49 year old actor joined Alex Scott and Clara Amfo on The One Show to chat about his upcoming thriller, The Au Pair, but the conversation took a nostalgic turn when Alex mentioned Kenny’s encounter with football legend Eric Cantona on the set of Elizabeth, which also starred Cate Blanchett.
Alex teased: “Straight after drama school you went on to star in Elizabeth with Cate Blanchett and we thought ‘Ooh, that’s amazing’ but no he was not starstruck by her. Look who was in it, Eric Cantona.”
Recounting the star-struck moment, Kenny confessed: “Now the context of this is in May I had seen Eric Cantona’s last game against West Ham at Old Trafford. Huge Man United fan. I came out of the trailer, so Richard Attenborough, then Eric Cantona. I couldn’t breathe and I was like, ‘This is a hero’.”
Kenny added: “I never spoke to him but I looked around the corner and it’s my biggest regret that I didn’t go up to him and say ‘you’re a hero, thank you so much for what you’ve done’ so Eric if you’re watching”, reports .
Vera star Kenny Doughty appeared on BBC The One Show (Image: BBC)
In addition to the memorable encounter, Kenny gave viewers a sneak peek into The Au Pair, hinting at the “twists and turns” fans can anticipate.
The actor revealed: “We are led by the amazing Sally Bretton who plays Zoe, my wife and she’s got a lot of pressure.
“She’s an amazing step mum, she’s got a great successful business and her father moves in next door and it all gets a bit too much.”
He further commented: “We all have to deal with hidden secrets and how far you will go to protect your family. There are twists and turns and nerve-jungling moments.”
Don’t miss… [BLUNDER]
Vera star Kenny Doughty’s first project after leaving ITV drama following Aiden Healy exit (Image: ITV)
In the gripping four-part drama, Doughty shares the screen with Poirot icon David Suchet.
The series centres on Zoe Dalton (portrayed by Death in Paradise star Sally Bretton), a successful businesswoman juggling life in her picturesque English country home with her husband Chris and stepchildren.
Zoe’s world is thrown into chaos when her diabetic father George (played by Suchet) relocates to the house next door, and the arrival of Sandrine (Lupin actress Ludmilla Makowski), a French au pair with potentially hidden agendas, adds to the unfolding drama.
The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on One and iPlayer