Back for 8! Vera she goes again

Brenda Blethyn is back in Vera’s mac and floppy hat for the drama’s eighth series. The star, 71, who has played frumpy but lovable DCI Vera Stanhope since 2011, was pictured filming for the ITV show in Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear. The last instalment, in April, had a tense plot in which Vera searched for the killer of a young girl missing after a music festival. The four-episode series was a ratings winner and fans called for the drama’s next run to be extended. JUDGE NICOLE SCHERZINGER Here’s the first look at the 21st century lads – plus their girlfriends – who are heading back to Roman times to see if they can cut it as gladiators. Bromans is a new reality game show in which eight couples are transported back 2,000 years to live and do battle. It starts at 9pm, September 14, on ITV2. As on Love Island, there’s a prize. Conveniently, the Emperor’s gold works out as £10,000 in today’s money.