Vera star Brenda Blethyn remains remarkably cheery, despite announcing that she is now living separately from her husband Michael Mayhew, after 50 years together.
But the actress, 79, has revealed her spouse hasn’t moved far, admitting a new interview he’s just downstairs in another flat in their building, after they struggled to come to an agreement over the temperature of their home.
Speaking to Prima Magazine, Brenda, who married art director Michael in 2010 after they began dating in 1975, shared that the arrangement has been working well for them, but won’t be forever as they look to find a better home together.
She said: ‘My husband and I have taken the flat beneath ours as he’s always cold, I’m always hot, and I’d say, ”Oh, I’m going to open a window”, and he’d say ”Oh, no, don’t do that, turn the heat on,” so we needed a bigger place.
‘I’m hearing more and more of couples adopting that way of living permanently, but, for us, it will be readjusted once we find somewhere appropriate.
‘The dog is happy as he’s got two different places to go – he prefers to be with me, though.’
Vera star Brenda Blethynremains remarkably cheery, despite announcing that she is now living separately from her husband Michael Mayhew, after 50 years together
But the actress has revealed her spouse hasn’t moved far, admitting a new interview he’s just downstairs in another flat in their building (the couple are pictured in 2013)
After Brenda bid farewell to her long-running role in ITV’s Vera last month, the actress revealed that even as she approaches 80 she still has no plans to retire
She said: ‘I’m lucky to have been working all this time. In fact, when I was 65, I was thinking, ”Do I retire now? Maybe that’s what I’m supposed to do?”
‘And then Vera came along. Now I’m nearly 80 and I’m not thinking about retiring at all – though perhaps I will cut back a bit and spend more time at home.’
Brenda has since swapped Vera for a glamorous role in Channel 4’s A Women Of Substance, and the star said it was ‘lovely’ to dress up in more lavish looks.
She said: ‘After Vera, playing this role [Brenda plays Emma Harte] was a bit of a rags to riches tale for me, too. They’re both strong women, but they’re very different kettles of fish. It was lovely to dress up in nice clothes for a change.
‘The outfits were exquisite and very different to Vera’s wardrobe, although a lot of her costumes were actually rather nice, it was just the way she wore them. I’ve kept quite a few of her blouses.’
Back in January 2025, 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.
Join the debate
Do YOU think living separately can work well for long-term couples?
Speaking to Prima Magazine, Brenda, who married art director Michael in 2010 after they began dating in 1975, shared that the arrangement has been working well for them
She said: ‘I’m hearing more and more of couples adopting that way of living permanently, but, for us, it will be readjusted once we find somewhere appropriate’
After Brenda bid farewell to her long-running role in ITV’s Vera last month, the actress revealed that even as she approaches 80 she still has no plans to retire
The March 2026 issue of Prima is now on sale
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.
Brenda has since hinted that she would return to Vera against all odds – but on a strict condition.
The hit series aired 56 episodes across 14 series over 14 years – and fans were gutted when it was revealed that it was over earlier this year.
This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary 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!’
The March 2026 issue of Prima is now on sale.