The One Show viewers were left astonished when guest Brenda Blethyn revealed her age. The actress, known for portraying Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope in the long-running ITV crime series Vera, celebrated a milestone birthday in February, reaching 80.
However, audiences were taken aback by her youthful appearance when she appeared on the BBC programme on Thursday (March 5). Brenda joined the show to discuss her forthcoming television production A Woman of Substance, though numerous viewers found themselves distracted by her looks instead, flocking to social media to share their reactions.
One viewer wrote on X: "No way is Brenda Blethyn 80! She looks amazing for her age." Another commented: "Brenda looks great for being 80." A fellow viewer added: "Love Brenda." Others questioned: "Brenda Blethyn looks AMAZING. How can she be 80?!" and "Brenda Blethyn is 80!!!!! No way!!!!"
During her appearance, the performer discussed reaching the landmark age after presenter Alex Jones referenced her "big birthday". "Oh yes, I was recently 80," she confirmed as Alex and co-host Roman Kemp extended birthday wishes. When asked if she did something lovely, Brenda revealed: "I went out for a meal, but my friend says we've got to do 80 celebrations. But then we thought that was a bit extreme, so we're going to do it in decades. So we're going to do eight special things."
Channel 4's A Woman of Substance, based on the bestselling novel by Barbara Taylor Bradford, tells the story of Emma Harte, a housemaid who becomes a tycoon. Brenda portrays the older Emma, whilst actress Jessica Reynolds plays the character in her youth. The cast also features Emmett J Scanlan, Lydia Leonard and Leanne Best.
