Vera fans are waving goodbye to DCI Vera Stanhope for one final time.

The series is coming to an end, with Brenda Blethyn reprising her role for two more episodes before she bids farewell to the character for good. Whilst we know Vera will be no more, what we don't yet know is Vera's fate - and if the character will die.

In the new episodes, we quickly find out that Vera has been offered a promotion - but will she take the promotion? Speaking about the scenes, she explained: "At the start of the first film, Chief Supt Khalon offers Vera a promotion. It’s about time! It’s taken 14 years for Vera to be offered promotion. She’s been the same rank throughout."

Many fans have been left concerned that Vera might die. Asked directly whether her character might survive - or if this is it, she said: "No comment," before firmly adding: "I'm not going to tell you."

A spoiler synopsis for the final ever episode, which airs on Thursday evening, said "the show goes out with a bang when Vera's life is in danger while investigating the violent death of a student" - could this be a hint that Vera dies?

In a statement to mark the end of the show, Brenda confirmed: "Working on Vera has been a joy from beginning to end and I'm sad to be saying Cheerio. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last fourteen years.

"I'll be forever grateful to the wonderful Ann Cleeves and to Elaine Collins. The Producers, dream cast and crew have been fabulous and I'm going to miss them, but I won't forget their huge talent, the camaraderie, laughter or kindness we shared nor the friendship of the people of the north east and our fans worldwide. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Vera had previously confessed she felt like she was making a mistake by leaving the show.

"On that last day of filming for Vera I couldn’t help thinking, 'Oh, I’m making a mistake here. Why oh why, Brenda?' Come March when I would normally be packing my bag to go back up north to film another series of Vera, I’ll probably be regretting my decision. But right here and right now, it’s the right one for me and my family," she said.

*The final ever series of Vera airs on ITV1 and ITVX.