Vera fans all said the same thing as series 13 of the ITV cop drama returned to screens on Sunday night. DCI Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn) addressed Aiden Healy's (Kenny Doughty) departure and she was soon faced with a blast from the past - Joe Ashworth (David Leon).

Vera briefly explained where Aiden was telling her colleagues he'd moved to Australia to start a new life with his family. However, it wasn't long before Joe surprised DCI Stanhope in the office - and his arrival didn't go down well after he told Vera he was there to investigate her and the team.

As Joe appeared in the office, Vera joked: "Look what the cat dragged in," as her former colleague replied: "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"It's nice of you to stop by, Joe," Brenda continued. "Some of you may remember DS Ashworth, he used to be one of the team."

Joe quipped back: "It is DI Ashworth now, College of Policing, you must have been informed."

"What?" the detective quizzed as Joe went on: "That we are going to be observing."

The detective admitted: "I didn't know it was going to be you."

When asked whether they were going to be assessed as a team, Vera answered: "Maybe DI Ashworth can answer that."

As Joe explained why he was there, Kenny Lockhart (Jon Morrison) asked: "What is the deal here, Joe? You snooping on us?"

"I prefer to call it close grouping," he replied before adding: "And I'd rather you call me sir."

Following the heated exchange, fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their thoughts about Joe's return, and while others said they were thrilled to have him back, others admitted to "missing Aiden".

@MrDavidEBrown tweeed: "Aiden Healy made no mention of wanting to move to Australia in the Vera Christmas special. Yet he's now packed and relocated in the space of a fortnight. #Vera."

@ifeelflames shared: "I'm gonna miss Aiden. His friendship with Vera was brilliant."

"So glad this is back. Gutted Aiden has gone though," @Samanth22356123 said as @astroflash added: "Vera without Aiden?!! Not sure I bear it! Magical pairing. Shame."

@JaniceGilfillan beamed: "Oh YES #Joe is back! #Vera."

@Bob71136804 complained: "So Aidan leaves off-screen. How bland. Thought they'd kill him off by some hideous means."

@dh8641 added: "I miss Aiden already. Joe's ok but I always preferred Aiden #Vera," as @ReallyRew penned: "What a moment, so good to have @BrendaBlethyn & @David_J_Leon back together again #vera."

Speaking ahead of his return to the ITV cop drama, the actor who plays Joe admitted it never crossed his mind about a possible comeback.

"The producer reached out to me and we had a conversation about Joe returning. It was something I hadn't really considered previously as being an option," David shared.

"Although it was a question I had probably been asked by Vera fans and others every day since I left at the end of series four, with Joe last seen on screen in 2014.

"It felt like there was some unfinished business there, so it was a nice opportunity to come back and, to some extent, tie up some loose ends."

Vera airs at 8pm on Sunday on ITV.