Inside Vera star David Leon's life off-screen from forgotten role to football career

David Leon has reprised his role as DS Joe Ashworth in ITV's Vera after a decade away from the series, but he also starred in a forgotten TV role and had a football career. The actor, 43, who first starred in the ITV drama from 2011 to 2014, returned to his role with a bang on Sunday, January 7, much to the delight of Vera fans as series 13 kicked off.

The new series also welcomed back Brenda Blethyn playing the titular detective, DCI Vera Stanhope, while Kenny Doughty, who played Aiden Healy and Ibinabo Jack, who portrayed DC Jacqueline Williams have not returned for this series.

As viewers watch the drama series unfold in Northumberland with more complex crimes, let's take a closer look at Vera star David and his life off screen... Forgotten role Before making himself known on ITV's Vera, David starred in the BBC drama Cutting It from 2004 to 2005.

The show focused on the lives of a team running a hairdressing salon.

During this time he played the role of coffee shop manager Troy Gillespie, who was also the half-brother of Mia Bevan, portrayed by Amanda Holden. David appeared in 12 episodes of Cutting It before the show ended in 2005.

Other stars alongside David and Amanda in the series included Sarah Parish, Angela Griffin, Lucy Gaskell, James Murray and Jason Merrells. Other TV appearances As well as his roles in Vera and Cutting It, David has also starred in the films These Foolish Things and Alexander along with the BBC mini-series The Wild West.

Taking his talents to the stage he appeared in Mark Haddon's theatre production of Polar Bears as Jesus at the Donmar Warehouse and has worked as a TV presenter on CITV.